Constitution

Last amended May 4, 2008 by the delegates to the 56th Annual Grassroots Convention held at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Fresno.

Preamble
Article I - NAME
Article II - INCORPORATION
Article III - PURPOSES
Article IV - RECORDS and OFFICES
Article V - MEMBERSHIP
Article VI - DUES
Article VII - OFFICERS
Article VIII - BOARD of DIRECTORS
Article IX - COMMITTEES
Article X - CONVENTIONS
Article XI - AMENDMENTS

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS OF THE CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATIC COUNCIL AS AMENDED

PREAMBLE
WE, THE PEOPLE OF THE CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATIC COUNCIL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, HEREBY AFFIRM OUR DEDICATION TO THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS - A PROCESS WHICH EXISTS TO DEFEND THE EQUAL DIGNITY AND VALUE OF ALL HUMAN BEINGS - AND THE RIGHT OF ALL PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCESS AND TO SHAPE IT TO THEIR NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS. WITH THIS AS OUR PURPOSE, WE CONSTITUTE THIS ORGANIZATION.

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of this organization shall be the CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATIC COUNCIL.

ARTICLE II - INCORPORATION

The California Democratic Council shall be incorporated under the laws of California as a non-profit corporation.

ARTICLE III - PURPOSES

To build and maintain a network of grassroots Democratic organizations and activism throughout all areas of the State of California.

To work for the establishment and maintenance of Democratic clubs across California to ensure every address in the state is served by at least one functioning, chartered, geographically-focused Democratic club.

To promote diversity and opportunity for full participation throughout the Democratic Party and to end discrimination based on race, age, creed, national origin, economic condition, sex, sexual/affectional preferences, marital status and disability or handicap.

To promote the candidacy and election of Democratic candidates for partisan offices in cooperation with the California Democratic Party.

To promote the candidacy and election of Democratic candidates for non-partisan offices in cooperation with the California Democratic Party.

To assist in the development, training and activism of affiliated organizations.

To coordinate the exchange of ideas, issues and information among affiliated organizations.

To consider pre-primary endorsements of Democratic candidates for partisan and non-partisan elected offices.

To study, discuss and adopt positions on public policy issues and legislative proposals and to work for the enactment of those positions.

To regularly meet with members of the State Legislature to discuss and promote CDC positions on issues and legislation.

ARTICLE IV - RECORDS AND OFFICES

The Board of Directors shall determine the location of the offices for the organization, and shall designate a principal office.

All official records as designated by the Board of Directors shall be maintained at the principal office of the organization.

The policies and procedures, as determined by the Board of Directors, shall be compiled into a manual which shall be maintained at the principal office.

All records, policies and procedures shall be available for inspection to any office or director.

All policies and procedures shall be provided to the officers and directors.

ARTICLE V - MEMBERSHIP

Membership in this Council shall consist of the following:

ORGANIZATIONS

Democratic clubs

County Central Committees

Young Democrat and College Democrat clubs

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS

Democratic elected officials or nominees for public partisan office in California.

Democratic National Committee members registered to vote in California.

Statewide and regional officers and Assembly District Committee chairs of the California Democratic Party

The statewide officers of the California Young Democrats

The statewide officers of the California College Democrats

The chair of the Federation of County Central Committees

Past presidents of this Council

MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
This Council shall have a Members-at-Large Division. Any registered Democrat may become a Member-at-Large, provided there is no Democratic Club within 25 miles.

REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP

Organizations shall:

Subscribe to the Constitution and Bylaws of the California Democratic Council, and to the Constitution and Bylaws of the California Democratic Party and the National Democratic Party Charter and Bylaws, when not in conflict with the CDC Constitution and Bylaws.

Support only Democrats for partisan and non-partisan public office, who best exemplify and subscribe to the philosophy and platform of this Council.

Democratic Clubs

Have as voting members only those persons registered as Democrats, or if ineligible to register have declared their intention of registering immediately upon eligibility.

Have a minimum of twenty (20) paid-up members who are not members of any other club represented on this Council. Members (including ex-officio) belonging to more than one club shall designate in writing their club of primary affiliation.

Be a bona fide Democratic Club chartered by a Democratic County or State Central Committee, holding at least one meeting in each quarter, and an annual or biennial election of officers.

Have a minimum of one dollar ($1.00) annual dues per member.

Young Democrat and College Democrat clubs

Shall be duly chartered by their governing organizations.

Shall have at least ten (10) members who shall be registered Democrats or who intend to register as Democrats upon eligibility.

Ex-Officio Members

All individuals who qualify as ex-officio members shall also be required to hold membership in and appear on the roster of an affiliated organization to be eligible to fully participate in the activities of this Council.

Members-at-Large

Members-at-Large shall maintain their registration in the Democratic Party at all times.

Affiliation for all Chartered Democratic Clubs and County Central Committees

All chartered Democratic clubs, organizations and county central committees are entitled to affiliate.

Any chartered club, organization or county central committee that has not submitted a complete affiliation application is entitled to have its President or Chair attend all CDC Conventions, state area and regional meetings with voice and vote.

To qualify for the complete complement of delegates and full benefits, organizations may affiliate as full members of CDC by filling out the affiliation application and submitting a current club roster, in a CDC approved format, that will be used to determine the number of allocated delegates. Full affiliation will remain in effect until either party retracts the affiliation in writing subject to yearly updates of club members and officers. Full affiliation provides organizations with participation in CDC committees, proportional voting strength at meetings and the right to host ex officio members.

ARTICLE VI - DUES

The determination of dues and associated fees may be reviewed and adopted by the regular Convention.

Members-at-Large shall be required to pay annual dues of $20.00.

The Board of Directors may consider hardship applications.

ARTICLE VII - OFFICERS

The officers of this Council shall be a President, Secretary, Treasurer, Controller and three Trustees, one or more Area Vice-Presidents and a minimum of 15 but not more than 25 Regional Vice-Presidents.

The number and geographic assignment of area vice presidents and regional vice presidents shall be reviewed and determined by the Board of Directors in even numbered years. Area and regional officers shall be assigned along county lines.

Elected officers shall be elected at the Annual Convention in odd-numbered years and shall assume office upon conclusion of that Convention.

In addition, the President shall be entitled to appoint additional officers, as determined by the Board of Directors, to assist in the governance of this Council.

The terms of office for appointed officers shall be the same as for elected officers.

ELIGIBILITY

Any member of an affiliated club of this Council is eligible to hold office in this Council.

Any Officer of this Council, other than Trustee, who is a candidate for full-time paid elective public office, other than offices within the Democratic Party, shall be required to take a leave of absence upon the announcement of his or her candidacy, unless otherwise authorized by the Executive Committee, the Board or the Convention.

Remuneration for elective or appointed officers, except as reimbursement for expenses (i.e. postage, mileage, travel, phone, Internet, et al.) shall be approved by the Executive Committee, the Board or the Convention, or as set forth in the organization's adopted strategic plan.

DUTIES & AUTHORITY

President. The President shall serve as the chief executive officer and in that capacity shall oversee the day-to-day activities of this Council. In addition, the President shall:

Preside over the Annual Conventions, board of directors meetings and executive committee meetings.

Serve as the official spokesperson for this Council.

Serve as the chief fundraiser for this Council.

Serve as liaison to the California Democratic Party and DNC.

Hire all paid staff of this Council, provided estimates for staff compensation have been approved as part of the adoption of the organization's strategic plan or by vote of the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors or the Convention.

Appoint additional unpaid, non-voting officers, as necessary, to assist in the governance of this Council.

Develop and implement an annual strategic plan to be approved by the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors, or the convention.

Report annually on the state of the CDC and its progress under the strategic plan presented during the preceding annual convention.

Have the authority to authorize all proper expenditures of this Council, except that expenditures exceeding $7500 shall require the approval of the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors, or the Convention.

Coordinate the activities of all volunteer officials of this Council and serve as primary representative to all affiliates.

Have the authority to appoint one or more special assistants, the number to be determined by the Board of Directors, for the purpose of coordinating activities among the various areas and regions. The special assistant(s) shall have voice but no vote on the Board of Directors and shall be eligible to serve as a delegate to conventions.

The Area Vice-Presidents shall assist the President in the performance of her or his duties and shall be responsible for coordinating the activities of this Council within their respective areas. In addition they shall:

Preside over conventions, board of directors meetings and executive committee meetings in the absence of the President. The Area Vice President serving in the area of the meeting shall preside.

Preside over area conventions and meetings.

Oversee the affiliation of member organizations in their area.

Assist in the establishment of new member organizations in their areas.

Assist in providing training sessions to member organizations in their areas.

Assist in the Council's media relations program in their area.

Develop and implement an annual strategic plan for their area, in conjunction with the Area Board of Directors.

Attend state conventions, state board of directors meetings and state executive committee meetings.

Assist in fund raising activities at the state and area level

Serve as regional vice president in the absence or vacancy of such position(s).

The Regional Vice-Presidents shall assist the President and the Area Vice Presidents in their duties. In addition they shall:

Preside over any regional meetings.

Oversee the affiliation of new and existing organizations in their regions.

Communicate regularly with affiliated organization presidents and chairs.

Regularly attend meetings of affiliated organizations as a CDC representative.

Make membership talks to potential affiliated organizations.

Coordinate training sessions for affiliated organizations.

Meet regularly with local Democratic elected officials.

Develop and implement a strategic plan for their region, in conjunction with the Regional Board of Directors.

Attend state and area conventions, state and area board of directors meetings, and state executive committee meetings.

Assist in fund raising activities at the state, area and regional levels.

Notify their regional board of directors and the CDC officers listserv of appointments of Regional Assistants.

Regional Vice-Presidents may appoint up to three Regional Assistants to assist in meeting Regional organizing goals, including:
1) Organizing and launching clubs in jurisdictions not directly served by a municipally-focused club;
2) Supporting existing clubs to develop and to implement club work plans, to set membership and outreach goals, and to meet regularly and to become well-known in their target areas;
3) Such other projects as will benefit the Region.

Regional Assistants serve at the pleasure of the Regional Vice-President and receive assignments from same.

The Secretary to the Board of Directors shall act as secretary of the Annual Convention and of the Board of Directors and its Executive Committee, keeping records of the proceedings thereof, distributing copies as appropriate and notifying members of meetings of this Council and its Board of Directors. In addition, the Secretary shall oversee the communication activities, including maintenance of the CDC website and e-mail list-serves.

The Treasurer shall be authorized to pay bills of this Council at the request of the President, make regular reports regarding the financial condition and major expenditures of this Council, assist the President and staff with fundraising activities, cooperate with the Trustees in all audits, and in conjunction with the President, ensure that all governmental reports are timely filed in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations and that all financial transactions of the this Council comply with the internal control policies set forth by the American Institute of Certified Public Accounts.

The Controller shall, in cooperation with the Treasurer, maintain the books of account of the organization and the budgetary and internal control matters of the Board of Directors. The Controller shall serve as Chair of the Budget Committee and shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees.

The Trustees shall audit the books of account of the Organization at least twice a year and at any time when the incumbent Treasurer shall leave office, submit a report of each audit to the Board of Directors, and of their year end-audit to the Annual Convention. They shall review the expenditures of Council funds and report whether they have been made in accordance with Convention decisions and/or this Constitution and By-Laws. They shall also serve on the Standing Committee of Finance and assume the Responsibilities thereof as outlined by the Board of Directors.

The term of office of a Trustee shall be three years.

AREAS

Each Area shall have a Board of Directors which shall consist of all delegates and alternates to the Annual Convention and all ex-officio members resident in that area.

Each Area Board of Directors shall have primary responsibility for conducting the business of this Council within its jurisdiction between statewide conventions, and shall be the initial authority with regard to all matters solely affecting its Area Board; provided, however, that the Area Boards shall at all times be subject to statewide policy of this Council as set forth by the statewide convention, this Constitution and Bylaws, and the state Board of Directors.

Each Area Board of Directors shall adopt a set of Standing Rules for its Area, and establish such committees as it shall deem appropriate to carry out its responsibilities.

Each Area Board of Directors shall meet at least once a year outside the Annual Convention.

VACANCIES
Vacancies in any of the offices herein shall be filled by the Board at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors, provided that written notice of the existence of the vacancy shall be sent to all members of the Board fifteen (15) days prior to such meeting.

REMOVAL
Any officer of this Council may be removed by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting at any meeting of the Board of Directors; provided that written charges against the officer shall first be presented to the meeting of the Board immediately preceding, that at least sixty (60) percent of those present and voting at the meeting where charges are presented shall vote to notify the officer of such charges and to proceed with a removal action, and that the affected officer shall be given an opportunity to answer and be heard at the Board meeting immediately following the Board meeting at which such charges were presented.

ELECTIONS

Nominations and elections of Officers, other than those appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Directors, shall take place at the Annual Convention occurring in odd-numbered years, except in the case of Trustees.

One Trustee shall be nominated and elected each year at the Annual Convention on a rotating basis from each Area of the State. For the purpose of Trustee rotation, the following groups of Areas shall share a trustee: Northstate and Greater Bay Area; Central North, Central Coast and Central South; Los Angeles Northwest, Los Angeles City, Los Angeles Southeast, Southern and Inland Empire.

Voting procedures for Member-at-Large board members and Vice President shall be set by the Executive Committee of this Council.

Rules for the election of officers shall be reviewed and adopted at the Board meeting preceding the Annual Convention at which the elections will be held.

USE OF NAME
No member of the Board of Directors of CDC may use her or his CDC title in any way - including for identification purposes only - in support of any candidate or ballot proposition not endorsed by CDC.

ARTICLE VIII - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

COMPOSITION

The Board of Directors of this Council shall consist of the elected and appointed officers, past presidents of this Council, organization presidents and chairs, caucus chairs, one elected Member-at-Large per 1000 Members-at-Large (not to be less than one at any time), standing committee and ad-hoc committee chairs who shall have voice and vote.

Organization presidents and chairs are entitled to appoint a permanent representative in writing to serve in their place at Board meetings

Any affiliated organization having in excess of 100 affiliated members shall be entitled to an additional representative on the Board of Directors.

RESOLUTIONS AND POLICY

All resolutions and policy statements shall require a 60% vote of those present and entitled to vote at conventions and meetings of the Board of Directors.

Policy resolutions in the name of the California Democratic Council shall be the function of the state-wide Convention and Board meetings; resolutions of the Executive Committee shall be limited to implementation of previously stated policies of the California Democratic Council.

The Board of Directors shall be the final authority between state-wide Conventions with regard to all matters of state-wide policy; provided, however, that the Board of Directors shall at all times be subject to the policies of this Council as adopted by the Statewide Convention, and to the provisions of this Constitution and Bylaws.

QUORUM
One-fifth (20%) of the Board of directors shall constitute a quorum.

REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETINGS

Regular business meetings of the entire Board of Directors shall be held no less than two times a year. Said regular meetings shall be called by the President.

Special meetings of the entire Board of Directors may be called by the President at any time, and shall be called by her or him upon request of Twenty percent (20%) of the affiliated organization presidents and chairs.

Area Vice-Presidents are responsible to call and to coordinate at least one properly noticed area meeting every nine months. If more than nine months pass between properly noticed area meetings, the Area Vice-President position shall fall vacant immediately, and may be filled as with vacancies caused by other means. Additional meetings beyond this requirement may be called by the Area Vice-President, by vote of the area assembled, or as otherwise provided in this Constitution.

Regional Vice-Presidents are responsible to call and to coordinate at least one properly noticed regional meeting every six months. If more than six months pass between properly noticed regional meetings, the Regional Vice-President position shall fall vacant immediately, and may be filled as with vacancies caused by other means. Additional meetings beyond this requirement may be called by the Regional Vice-President, by vote of the region assembled, or as otherwise provided in this Constitution.

Special area or regional meetings may be called by the said Vice-Presidents at any time; by the President; or upon request of Thirty percent (30%) of the affiliated organization presidents and chairs resident in the area or region.

All club presidents resident in the jurisdiction, all county committee chairs resident in the jurisdiction, all AD Chairs resident in the jurisdiction, all individual convention delegates resident in the jurisdiction, such statewide or local CDC convention delegates or permanent representatives as may be on file for the jurisdiction, the CDC President and the CDC Secretary shall be noticed of all Regional and Area meetings.

For purposes of counting six-month (regional) and nine-month (area) meeting requirements, the first day of the range shall be considered the day the Regional Vice-President or the Area Vice-President takes office. Subsequent six-month and nine-month ranges shall begin with the call to order of each properly-noticed regional or area meeting.

The CDC statewide officers, in conjunction with staff, shall assist the Area Vice-Presidents and the Regional Vice-Presidents in tracking the time requirements in which to call a meeting, and shall provide other reasonable meeting-related assistance as requested.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected and appointed officers.

The Executive Committee shall act on matters that are of an urgent nature between meetings of the Board of Directors. Any action taken is subject to ratification at the next Board meeting.

The Executive Committee also shall advise the President from time to time, as necessary, on policy issues and planning matters.

All meetings of the Executive Committee shall be open to any member of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IX - COMMITTEES

MEMBERSHIP & AUTHORITY

Standing and ad-hoc committee members shall be members of affiliated organizations and shall appear on the affiliated membership list.

Each affiliated organization is entitled to appoint a voting member to each standing committee, with the exception of the Finance Committee, whose membership will be defined by the Board of Directors.

Each CDC Area Vice-President may appoint up to three additional "at large" people from each respective area to serve as members of each standing committee.

Each Area Vice-President shall designate a committee member from his/her area to serve as the "Area Chair" of each Committee.

Each Committee's Area Chair may call meetings of area committee members for the purpose of making recommendations to a statewide standing committee or to an area's Board of Directors.

For each committee, the CDC President shall name one of the Area Chairs as "State Chair."

If an Area Vice-President has not named an Area Chair for each standing committee, or has not filled the three "at-large" positions for each standing committee within two weeks after the adjournment of a CDC Convention, the CDC President or an Area Board of Directors may fill any vacant committee appointments.

Affiliated organizations may name or change their committee delegates at any time by notifying the CDC Secretary, the committee State Chair and the committee Area Chair.

If the CDC President does not designate a State Chair for each committee within 15 days after the adjournment of the CDC Convention at which he or she is elected, the Executive Committee or the Board of Directors may name any vacant State Chairs.

In the instance the State Chair is vacant or absent, the committee members present at a meeting may choose a temporary chair from among their members to preside.

All committees shall meet at each meeting of the Board of Directors, and at other times as each Committee or its State Chair shall determine.

No committee shall have the power to set policy for CDC or to represent CDC unless such authority is explicitly granted to such committee by the CDC Convention or the CDC Board of Directors. The primary purposes of Committees are to make recommendations and to carry out tasks assigned by the CDC Convention and the CDC Board of Directors.

All committee appointments made by affiliated organizations shall stay in force until a replacement is designated, or until the organization's affiliation with this Council lapses. Under no circumstances may an unaffiliated organization be represented by voting members to committees.

Committee appointments normally falling to the CDC President or to any Area Vice-President shall terminate at the expiration of the appointing officer's term.

STANDING AND AD HOC/SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Standing Committees

The Standing Committees of the Board of Directors shall be: Bylaws & Rules, Communications, Credentials, Finance, Issues & Political Action, Membership, Organizational Development and Resolutions.

Ad Hoc/Special Committees

The Board of Directors may create Ad Hoc/Special Committees as it deems necessary.

The President shall appoint the members and chair of any Ad Hoc/Special Committees.

ARTICLE X - CONVENTIONS

TIME AND PLACE

A Convention of this Council shall be held annually. The time and place shall be fixed by the Board of Directors, at least one year prior to the date of such Convention. Notice of such Convention shall be mailed to each ex-officio and organization member at least Two (2) months in advance of any cut-off date for credentials established in accordance with Article X, Section B, Subsection 1-c.

Conventions held in even-numbered years shall be for the primary purpose of deciding whether to endorse Democratic candidates for statewide public office, national offices requiring statewide votes, and for ratifying the endorsement recommendations of area and regional endorsing conventions.

No odd numbered year convention held for the purpose of electing statewide officers may be held in the same area as the immediately previous odd-numbered year convention which was held for the purpose of electing officers.

Rules for the Annual Convention shall be reviewed and adopted by the Board of Directors at least four months in advance of the Convention.

REPRESENTATION

Organizations

Each club affiliated with this Council by 30 days prior to the convening of the Annual Convention shall be entitled to one duly elected delegate, and one alternate, for each Ten (10) members who appear on the affiliation roster, as well as a vote for the Club President or the Club President's designee.

Each County Central Committee affiliated with this Council by 30 days prior to the convening of the Annual Convention shall be entitled to two duly-elected delegates, and two alternates, for each Assembly District, whole or partial, contained in the county.

Clubs that have been chartered for less than six months prior to the convening of the Annual Convention or clubs that have not completed their affiliation 30 days prior to the convening of the Annual Convention, shall be limited to no more than two delegates and two alternates, as well as a vote for the Club President or the Club President's designee, with right of appeal to the Credentials Committee if desired.

All other organizations shall be guaranteed only one convention vote, with right of appeal to the Credentials Committee if desired.

Each club president shall certify in writing to this Council that the names listed on the submitted roster are paid-up members who are not members of any other club represented on this Council; or are members who have designated in writing that club as their club of primary affiliation.

Copies of affiliation papers shall be provided to the respective Area Vice Presidents and Regional Vice Presidents.

Ex-officio members are entitled to serve as individual delegates.

Past presidents of this Council are entitled to serve as individual delegates.

The Member-at-Large Division shall elect one delegate per 500 at-large members, the number of such delegates not to be less than one (1). Rules for the election of Member-at-Large delegates shall be set by the Executive Committee of this Council.

QUORUM
A quorum to conduct business at any convention shall consist of One-Third (1/3) of the duly registered accredited delegates at the convention; for purposes of endorsement a quorum shall be Fifty percent (50%) of the duly registered accredited delegates.

PROXIES
There shall be no duplicate voting or voting by proxy.

SPECIAL CONVENTIONS

Special state-wide conventions may be called by the President with the approval of the majority of the total membership of the Board of Directors, which may be polled in writing; or by Two-Thirds (2/3) majority of the total membership of the Executive Committee. Special Regional Conventions may be called by the Regional Vice-President in consultation with local clubs. The call for a special convention shall specify the subjects to be considered, and no subjects shall be considered that are not so specified, without the vote of a majority of the duly accredited delegates registered at the convention. The time and place shall be fixed by the Regional Vice-President in consultation with clubs; and each organization and ex-officio member shall be notified thereof in writing at least Thirty (30) days in advance of said convention.

Local endorsing conventions for Special Elections shall be called by the appropriate Regional Vice-Presidents to convene after the Special Election is called.

ENDORSING CONVENTIONS

Pre Endorsing Conventions shall be held for the purpose of making pre-primary endorsement recommendations for partisan offices.

The Pre Endorsing Convention shall be called by the Area Vice President in consultation with the affected Regional Vice Presidents.

Pre Endorsing Conventions are to be held no sooner than the close of filing for the Primary Election.

All current delegates and alternates to the State Convention resident in the area are entitled to be delegates to the Pre Endorsing Convention.

To be endorsed, a candidate must receive a 60% majority of those present and voting. "No Endorsement" is an option on each vote. Prior to voting, the delegates may decide to use Instant Runoff Voting or to hold no more than three voting rounds to determine if a candidate can be endorsed. For additional voting rounds the candidate receiving the lowest number of votes shall be dropped from further consideration.

Voting will be by secret ballot unless the Convention delegates specifically vote not to do so. In either event, a tally of the vote will be taken and recorded.

Notices of Pre Endorsing Conventions shall be mailed to each delegate at least 15 days prior to the Convention.

Prior to each Pre Endorsing Convention, notice shall be given by mail, electronically or orally to each Democratic candidate for the offices under consideration for endorsement.

In instances where an office under consideration for endorsement falls into two or more areas, the delegates from each area are entitled to vote on the office and the votes from each area will be merged. In such cases, Instant Runoff Voting procedures will be used.

Where appropriate, due to geographic constraints, Area Vice Presidents, in consultation with Regional Vice Presidents, may hold one or more Pre Endorsing Conventions.

Any endorsement recommendations from a Pre Endorsing Convention shall be approved or disapproved without right of substituting alternate candidates at the Annual Convention unless at least ten delegates present objection to the endorsement within one week of the Convention. Objections must be for reasons of procedural or credentialing error and not solely because those objecting were on the losing side of an endorsement vote.

General Rules for Pre Endorsing Conventions shall be reviewed and adopted by the Pre Endorsing Convention delegates at the start of the Convention.

Democratic candidates not endorsed by CDC who win the Primary Election shall be presented for endorsement at the Board meeting following the Primary Election.

Anyone voting at any level of the Pre Endorsement process must be registered to vote as a Democrat in the jurisdiction being considered.

LOCAL ENDORSEMENTS

Pre Endorsing Conventions may consider making endorsements for local non-partisan offices, for candidates who exemplify and subscribe to the philosophy and platform of this Council.

Only candidates registered as Democrats may be considered for endorsement.

All candidates registered as Democrats seeking an office under consideration should be notified by mail, electronically or orally well in advance of the Pre Endorsing Convention.

The delegates may decide whether to allow candidates to address the Pre Endorsing Convention. Nonetheless, candidates are entitled to distribute literature to delegates and to have the names of all candidates under consideration for endorsement to have their names listed prior to voting.

All endorsements of local non-partisan candidates shall become a CDC-endorsed candidate unless at least ten delegates present object to the endorsement within one week of the Pre Endorsing Convention. Objections must be for reasons of procedural or credentialing error and not solely because those objecting were on the losing side of an endorsement vote.

Any objections shall be resolved by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee, if a timely resolution is required.

RULES
Any Convention or meeting of this Council shall be governed by the most recent edition of Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised. In addition, the Board of Directors will develop, review and adopt rules governing specific procedures for each meeting, consistent with this Constitution and Bylaws.

CONSTITUENCY CAUCUSES

A Constituency Caucus may be created by Twenty (20) or more delegates gathering together at an Annual Convention, signing a Caucus Affiliation form; electing a Chair and other officers; and notifying the Convention Secretary of the establishment of the caucus.

The purpose of a Constituency Caucus is to promote issues, legislation and candidates of interest to the specific constituency.

A Constituency Caucus will need to reaffiliate annually.

The Caucus Chair shall be a member of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XI - AMENDMENTS

The Constitution and Bylaws of this Council may be amended at any annual or special convention by a majority vote of the duly registered accredited delegates present.

All proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws shall be submitted to the Bylaws & Rules Committee for review 30 days prior to consideration by the Convention delegates.

A proposed amendment which the Bylaws & Rules Committee has rejected or refused to consider may be considered by the Convention if submitted over the signatures of 25 accredited delegates, or has been approved by a majority of the Board of Directors.

Those amendments which do not involve changes in substance, but only changes in language or form, may be voted on as a group.

The Bylaws & Rules Committee is empowered to make any and all non-substantive changes, whether for grammar or typographical error in reproduction.

All amendments approved by the delegates in Convention shall become effective on the first day following that Convention, and an updated version of the Constitution and Bylaws shall be posted on the CDC website.