Humboldt Progressive Democrats

Mission Statement

The mission of the Humboldt Progressive Democrats (from our approved bylaws): The Club shall focus its efforts within the County of Humboldt to work toward restoration of citizen ownership of our democracy by mobilizing grassroots participation in the political process; to support candidates and issues through a combination of education, community organizing, and direct action at the local, state, and national levels; to hold elected officials accountable to the electorate; and to promote progressive policies; to advance the goals of the Democratic Party (hereinafter called the Party), through coordination with other Democratic groups, and other activities to benefit the Party.


Progressive policies include, but are not limited to single-payer health care, tuition-free public college, human and civil rights for all under the law, Green New Deal and climate justice, fair trade, worker rights to organize and collectively bargain, abolition of the death penalty, and promoting fairness, peace, justice and sustainability within our community, our state, our country, and the world.


Our vision is a free, open, transparent election process where electeds, candidates, and legislation can focus on achieving what the public needs and wants. We believe our progressive agenda will only be advanced by getting big money out of politics - therefore Humboldt Progressive Democrats supports progressive legislation and candidates currently free from corporate donations.

 

 

BYLAWS

I. NAME

 
 

 

 

The name of this organization shall be the Humboldt Progressive Democrats (hereinafter called the “Club”, “HPD”, or similar name).

 

II. PURPOSE

The Club shall focus its efforts within the County of Humboldt to work toward restoration of citizen ownership of our democracy by mobilizing grassroots participation in the political process; to support candidates and issues through a combination of education, community organizing, and direct action at the local, state, and national levels; to hold elected officials accountable to the electorate; and to promote progressive policies; to advance the goals of the Democratic Party (hereinafter called the Party), through coordination with other Democratic groups, and other activities to benefit the Party.

 

Progressive policies include, but are not limited to, single payer health care; tuition-free public college, human and civil rights for all under the law; protection of our environment; fair trade; worker rights to organize and collectively bargain; abolition of the death penalty; and promoting fairness, peace, justice and sustainability within our community, our state, our country, and the world. The Humboldt Progressive Democrats recognizes that these policies can only be realized by removing corporate money from electoral politics. 

 

III.      AFFILIATION

  1. The Club is officially chartered with the Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee (hereinafter called the “HCDCC”) and was duly chartered by the HCDCC on June 30, 2017.
  2. As a chartered and affiliated club of the HCDCC, the Club shall comply with bylaws of the HCDCC and the California Democratic Party, as they apply to fully chartered local affiliates.
  3. The Humboldt Progressive Democrats will abide by the Code of Conduct of the California Democratic Party.

 

IV.      MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

A.   Members: 

 

        1. Membership in the Club shall be open to any person who supports the purpose of the Club and, if eligible to vote, is a registered Democrat in Humboldt County. If under the age of eighteen (18) years, or otherwise ineligible, they shall declare their intention of registering.
        1. A “voting member” (a.k.a. “member in good standing”) is an individual, at least fifteen (15) years of age, whose Club membership dues are current  or have been waived due to economic hardship, their voting rights being subject to compliance with the other provision of these bylaws. and who have attended at least one prior general membership meeting out of the past twelve. 
        2. Supports the purpose of the Club as stated in Article II, above.
  2. This organization does not require or use any test of membership or oath of loyalty which has the effect of requiring prospective or current members to acquiesce in, condone or support discrimination on the grounds of race, color, creed, national origin, physical ability, sex, age, religion, ethnic identity, sexual orientation or economic status.
  3. A member is removed from the Club roster for non-payment of dues by the date required in these Bylaws unless a hardship waiver of dues has been submitted. 

 

V. DUES

  1. Dues shall be recommended by the Executive Board and reviewed at the first meeting of each calendar year and presented to the General Membership for approval.
  2. Dues or request for waiver are due April 1st and payable by April 15th  of each fiscal year.
  3. Annual Dues Levels:
    1. Under 18                                            No Dues
    2. Student / Senior (65+)                     $10.00
    3. General Membership                           20.00
    4. Aggressive Progressive                       50.00
    5. Revolutionary                                    150.00
  4. Payment of dues shall not be obligatory to anyone for whom it constitutes an economic hardship.
  5. Membership is effective 30 days after receipt of dues or waiver and attendance of at least one prior general membership meeting.

 

VI.      MEETINGS

  1. Regular Meetings
      1. The Club shall hold regular meetings, at least monthly, on such day as the membership may determine from time to time.
      2. Regular meetings shall not be canceled more than 3 times within any calendar year and in no event shall more than 2 regular meetings be canceled in succession.
  2. Special Meetings 
      1. Special meetings may be called by the chair at any time, on notice as specified below.
      2. In the absence of the chair, any two officers may call a special meeting, on notice as specified below.
  3. Notice of Meeting
        1. Notice of regular or special meetings shall be given at least 5 days in advance to all active members, in any manner as follows:
          1. Notice in writing by US mail, or
          2. Notice in writing by e-mail, or
          3. Telephone message
  1. Notice of the meeting shall be deemed sufficient by any manner specified above if such notice includes the date, time and place of the meeting and is calculated to be received at least 5 days prior to the meeting.

D.   Endorsements:  To the extent consistent with law, this Club may endorse candidates or take positions on ballot propositions subject to the following conditions:

  1. Endorsements as between two or more eligible persons or positions shall be made only following notice to representatives of all known eligible persons/positions and all Members; and
  2. No endorsement shall be made except upon the affirmative vote of sixty percent (60%) of the Members present and voting; and
  3. This Club shall not endorse or in any way support any candidate who is not a Democrat. HPD shall not endorse more candidates than seats available.

            

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 total organizational membership, or five members, whichever is smaller, as of 24 hours before the meeting, as reported by the secretary.
  3. Unless otherwise specified in these Bylaws, the Club may adopt events and conduct regular business with a vote of 50 percent plus one of the members present and voting at any meeting.
  4. The Club may pass resolutions not related to endorsements with a vote of sixty percent (60%) of those present and voting at any meeting.
  5. A process to consider the endorsement of candidates must be approved prior to any suggestion of endorsements.  If the discussion of an endorsement process is noticed in the meeting agenda, such process must be approved by at least sixty percent (60%) of those members present and voting at any meeting.  If the discussion of an endorsement process is brought up from the floor as New Business, such process must be approved by at least 3/4 of those present and voting at any meeting.  Under no circumstances may the Club consider the endorsement of a candidate for public office who is not registered with the Democratic Party.  The minimum threshold for endorsement in a race with multiple Democratic candidates is sixty percent (60%) of the members present and voting.
  6. Changes to the bylaws not specifically referenced elsewhere must be noticed to the membership at least one meeting before the vote in question, and must be approved by a vote of two-thirds of those present and voting.
  7. No vote on endorsement or other official Club business shall be taken by secret ballot. 

 

VIII.   OFFICERS

  1. ELECTION & DUTIES
  1. Club officers shall consist of chair, vice-chair, secretary, and treasurer.  They shall be elected in January to serve one-year terms of office. A parliamentarian is appointed by the Chair with majority vote at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
  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 secretary shall be responsible to ensure that all members are notified of Club meetings, maintain an updated club roster, and shall maintain all written records of the Club.
  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, and will provide a monthly financial report at club meetings. In collaboration with the officers, the treasurer shall draft an annual budget.
  6. The parliamentarian shall ensure that Robert’s Rules of Order are followed accurately and consistently during all regularly noticed meetings.
  7. The chair shall officiate at all meetings of the Club.
  8. The chair may appoint members temporarily to fill un-expired terms of office, subject to election by the membership at the next Club meeting 30 days after the office is vacated.
  9. The Club shall be represented at meetings of the HCDCC and any other Committee meetings at which it may be entitled to membership.  A person may serve as representative to more than one outside body if the club membership approves.
  10. The Chair may appoint Club members to serve in other capacities as needed. 
  11. The Club may elect such other officers as may be deemed necessary from time to time to conduct Club business. 
  12. The Executive Board shall be composed of the club officers and chairs of standing committees, and shall be responsible for implementing the Club’s goals, developing the meeting agendas, and maintaining financial viability.
  13. Regular Order of Business: The order of business at a regular meeting of The Club shall be as follows:
    1. Roll call / Introductions
    2. Guest speakers
    3. Secretary’s report: Minutes of prior meeting(s) 
    4. Treasurer’s report
    5. Chair’s report
    6. Committee reports 
    7. Nominations and elections to fill vacancies
    8. Other pending business
    9. New business and special resolutions
    1. Adjournment
  2. An elected officer can be removed from office by resolution of a two-thirds vote of the Regular members at a General Meeting for such causes as missing three unexcused consecutive meetings or non-performance of duties, providing the membership and the officer have been notified ten days in advance of the meeting of the proposed action against the officer. 
  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 HCDCC, 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. That date for this election cycle is July 22, 2025;
    2. “Member in Good Standing” shall mean a member pursuant to Article IV., A., above;     
    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 must be from the roster described above and the overall list of representatives to all conferences will be equally apportioned between men and women, to the extent possible.
  3. Said representatives shall be selected by majority vote of the membership.

 

IX.      COMMITTEES

  1. STANDING COMMITTEES

 

  1. Membership and Outreach:  Responsible for membership development and support (     including recruitment and retention), and publicity.       Research, develop, and maintain website, social media platforms, press releases, advertising, announcements, printed materials, signage, and other communications and media.
  1. Political and Legislative Affairs:  Oversee programs and activities related to making candidate endorsements, supporting political campaigns, donating money, organizing volunteers within the membership for political action and conduct other political functions as delegated by the General membership. Research legislative activity on a local, state, or federal level of interest to the Club, providing periodic reports to the Club.
  2. Chairs of Standing Committees shall be elected by majority vote of the members of the standing committee and shall serve as members of the Executive Board.
  3. The Chair of each committee shall provide oral reports as requested by the Executive Board or Chair.
  4. Special Committees:  The Executive Board and the Chair shall have the authority to appoint special committees as needed to accomplish the objectives of the Club.
  5. Responsibilities: Committees are the primary mechanism to allocate the ongoing business and responsibilities of The Club. Such business and responsibilities include but are not necessarily limited to budget and fund raising, media and public relations, issues and research, coordination of events, liaison with officials and other entities, volunteer recruitment, voter registration, GOTV, candidate endorsement, and other campaign activities. Members are encouraged to participate in committees that reflect their political interests.

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.  Five (5)   days’ notice must be provided of each meeting.