2021 Member Vote to Update Bylaws

The NETCoDems Executive Committee (EC) recommends NETCo Dems members approve the attached proposed update to the Club Bylaws.

The proposed changes will make it possible for the Club to respond more quickly to proposals to endorse candidates, programs, issues, and propositions than we were able to respond to the “No Way on Prop A” endorsement request last month.

Under the current Bylaws, the Club must allow at least 30 days between announcing a proposal to endorse and the end of voting on that proposal. The same rules apply to voting on amendments to the Bylaws.

Additionally, in order to prevent “stuffing” the membership list to sway the vote on an endorsement or an amendment to the Bylaws, eligibility to vote for new members is delayed until the 30th day after initial dues payment. The proposed changes reduce each of these three intervals to 14 days. Voting Framework in accordance with the current Bylaws: Members must be given at least 30 days’ notice within which to vote. 65% of the votes cast are required to approve the changes. Votes are normally conducted at meetings, but the EC may decide to conduct Club votes online. Who can Vote: All members in good standing are eligible to vote on this proposal. To be in good standing, members must have registered and paid club dues for the year 2021. Duplicate and ineligible ballots will be disregarded. How to Vote: The EC has designated this vote to be taken online at https://bit.ly/2021AmendBylawsNETCoDems. Voting opens on November 10th, 2021. The proposed changes will be discussed at the meeting on November 20, 2021. Paper ballots will be available to complete and submit at the November meeting for members who are unable to vote online. Online voting will close at December 10th, 2021 at 12:00 Noon.