Author Archive: DPCCC Secretary

Organizational Meeting agenda – Thursday, January 19, 2023, 7:00pm

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As directed in our Bylaws, DPCCC will be holding our biennial Organizational Meeting, at which we elect our officers, District Directors, and our delegates to the California Democratic Party for two-year terms. The meeting will be on January 19, 2023, at 7pm.

Below is the proposed meeting agenda, distributed fourteen days in advance in satisfaction of our Bylaws (Article IV, Section 1, D.).

For details on the offices to be elected, how to run, and who can vote, please see the DPCCC blog.

Further details on the procedure for voting and nominations from the floor will follow in another communication next week.

Agenda

  1. Call to order and welcome
  2. Review Zoom meeting procedures
  3. Establish a quorum (30 out of 58 Regular Members)  
  4. Approve agenda
  5. Approve minutes for November 17, 2022.
  6. Election of officers
  7. District caucuses
    1. Election of District Directors
    2. Election of CADEM delegates by district
  8. Election of at-large CADEM delegates
  9. Future agenda items or presentations
  10. Adjourn

DPCCC Organizational Meeting coming up on Jan 19 – Election of officers, District Directors, and DPCCC’s delegates to CADEM

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As directed in our Bylaws, DPCCC will be holding our biennial Organizational Meeting, at which we elect our officers, District Directors, and our delegates to the California Democratic Party for two-year terms. The meeting will be on January 19, 2023, at 7pm.

What positions are there to run for?

Officers

Responsibilities of these positions

Chair

The DPCCC Chair is the chief executive officer and the official voice of the central committee. The Chair shall carry out the policies and purposes of the DPCCC and shall pursue its interests to the best of his/her abilities.

  1. Other responsibilities of the Chair include:
    1. Serve as the official DPCCC spokesperson and liaison to the public, the CDP, and Elected officials.
    2. Lead the effort to develop, encourage and support qualified Democrats to run for local elected office.
    3. Delegate and develop leadership within the DPCCC.
    4. Oversee the management of any staff.
    5. Chair the meetings of the DPCCC and the Executive Committee.
    6. Assist other officers in the appointment of committee chairs.

1st Vice-Chair

The First Vice-Chair shall assist the DPCCC Chair in the performance of the Chair’s duties. To the extent necessary, the First Vice-Chair shall exercise the powers of the Chair in the event of the Chair’s absence. In the event that the office of Chair is vacated, the First Vice-Chair shall assume the duties of the Chair until a new Chair has been elected.

  1. Other responsibilities of the First Vice-Chair include:
    1. Oversight of those standing committees responsible for mobilizing election activity to support Democratic issues and candidates.
    2. The administration, management, and strategic use of the voter database system within the county; and appointment of a voter database administrator.

2nd Vice-Chair

The Second Vice -Chair shall assist the DPCCC Chair in the performance of the Chair’s duties. To the extent necessary, the Second Vice-Chair shall exercise the powers of the Chair in the event of the absence of both the Chair and the First Vice-Chair. In the event of a vacancy in both the office of Chair and First Vice-Chair, the Second Vice-Chair shall assume the duties of the DPCCC Chair until a new Chair has been elected. The Second Vice-Chair shall be responsible for membership training, member recruitment, and club development.

  1. Other responsibilities of the Second Vice-Chair include:
    1. Maintain the membership roster of the DPCCC.
    2. Ensure each Public Ballot, Designated, and Ex-Officio Member has an alternate.

Controller

The Controller shall be responsible for the financial activities and fiscal health of the DPCCC. The Controller shall have access to the financial records maintained by the DPCCC.

  1. Other responsibilities of the Controller include:
    1. Prepare and deliver at each DPCCC meeting a report on the financial affairs of the DPCCC.
    2. Advise the DPCCC officers, committees, and the membership on financial planning with regards to the budget.

Secretary

The Secretary shall be responsible for taking the minutes of the regular and special meetings of the DPCCC and for the official communications to the membership, such as the website, e-mail lists, and official publications.

  1. Other responsibilities of the Secretary include:
    1. Appoint a Recording Secretary who will take draft minutes for the Membership and Executive Committee meetings.
    2. Work with the Second Vice-Chair to maintain the Membership Roster of the DPCCC.

Who can run

  • For Chair: Regular Members (not Associates) who are in good standing and are registered to vote in Contra Costa County.
  • For First Vice-Chair, Second Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Controller: All members who are in good standing (including Associates) and are registered to vote in Contra Costa County.

How to run

  • Optional but encouraged: Send a candidate statement to the Secretary for distribution to members. You can do this anytime before the election meeting (January 19, 7pm) but the earlier, the better.
  • Become a candidate in one of two ways:
    • Notify the Transition Team of your intent to run ahead of the meeting.
    • Be nominated from the floor during the relevant portion of the January 19 meeting.
  • Speak for up to five minutes at the election meeting. You may divide this time among yourself and any other speakers you wish.

Who can vote 

  • Voting members, i.e. Regular Members in good standing or their Alternates exercising their credentials in their place.

District Directors

Responsibilities of these positions

  1. Work with the Chair(s) of the Endorsements and Elections Committees to help identify local races, outreach to Democratic incumbents, and prospective Democratic candidates.
  1. Identify influencers within their respective district and encourage participation in the Democratic Party.
  1. May appoint Assistant District Directors to help them achieve their goals.

Who can run

  • All members in good standing (including Associates) who are registered to vote in the supervisorial district for that Director.

How to run

  • Optional but encouraged: Send a candidate statement to the Secretary for distribution to members. You can do this anytime before the election meeting (January 19, 7pm) but the earlier, the better.
  • Become a candidate in one of two ways:
    • Notify the Transition Team of your intent to run ahead of the meeting.
    • Be nominated from the floor by a member in your Supervisorial district during the district caucus portion of the January 19 meeting.

Who can vote

  • All members in good standing (including Associates) who are registered to vote in the supervisorial district for that Director.

Delegates to CADEM

Responsibilities of these positions

  • Attend and participate in both of two CADEM conventions during a two-year term, either in person or virtually depending on how the convention is held. In-person conventions have been held in a variety of locations throughout California where convention venues are available, e.g. San Francisco or Long Beach.
  • Stay through the final General Session on the last day of the convention, usually a Sunday. This is a significant matter. Many delegates leave early in order to travel home; this has often put the meeting quorum at risk for significant matters being decided in that final General Session.
  • This is a significant commitment of time and money (travel and accommodation expenses, dues) on the order of several hundred dollars. Members for whom these costs would be a hardship should reach out to the Chair to privately discuss options to fundraise or obtain support.
  • Active, engaged delegates enhance the interaction and influence of the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County at the state party level. 

Who can run

  • For per-district seats: All members in good standing (including Associates) who are registered to vote in the supervisorial district for that seat.
  • For at-large seats: All members (including Associates) who are in good standing and are registered to vote in Contra Costa County.

How to run

  • Optional but encouraged: Fill out the candidate questionnaire. To inspire votes, consider these questions when filling out the questionnaire.
    • Does the delegate candidate hold or aspire to a position on a CDP Standing Committee or in Caucus leadership? (there may be a requirement to be a CDP delegate)
    • Will the candidate carry forward resolutions passed by the DPCCC to the CDP? (the process may require speaking on the convention floor)
    • Will the candidate increase our DPCCC delegation’s diversity?  Use the CDP Ad Hoc Committee on Committees memo Recommendations for Standing Committee Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as a reference.
    • Is the candidate willing to join a caucus, attend the meeting(s) and report back to the DPCCC on its activities or facilitate engagement of our DPCCC in statewide projects?  Note: there are many caucuses focused on diverse groups 
    • Is the candidate willing to attend a Standing Committee meeting and report back to the DPCCC?
  • Become a candidate in one of two ways:
    • Notify the Transition Team of your intent to run ahead of the meeting.
    • Be nominated from the floor by a member in your Supervisorial district during the district caucus portion of the January 19 meeting.

Who can vote

  • For per-district seats: All members in good standing (including Associates) who are registered to vote in the supervisorial district for that seat.
  • For at-large seats: All members (including Associates) who are in good standing and are registered to vote in Contra Costa County.

Deadlines

  • December 20: Last day for new DPCCC Associate Members to join (pay dues, $24) and be able to vote at the January 19 meeting. (Must be registered to vote with Democratic party preference in order to become a member; this will be checked.) Members for whom this cost would be a hardship should reach out to the Secretary to seek a waiver.
  • January 1: Last day for current DPCCC members (both Regular and Associate) to pay dues ($40 Regular, $24 Associate including Alternates) and be able to vote at the January 19 meeting. Members for whom this cost would be a hardship should reach out to the Secretary to seek a waiver.

Resolution in Support of a State Windfall Profits Tax on Oil Corporations

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DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the November 17, 2022 regular meeting.

WHEREAS according to the California Energy Commission, while crude oil prices are down, oil companies have increased gas prices in California by a record 84 cents per gallon in just the last month alone, with the average price of gasoline at the pump surging from $5.06 to $6.29 despite the price of oil decreasing from about $100 per barrel to $85 per barrel; and

WHEREAS oil companies and their executives have failed to provide an explanation for the divergence between prices in California compared to the national average and, while spokespeople have blamed it on five refineries temporarily shutting down at the same time, such unplanned maintenance issues have occurred in the past – most recently in September 2019 – without prices at the pump skyrocketing anywhere near this degree; and

WHEREAS on September 30 Governor Newsom called for a windfall profits tax to put record oil profits back in Californians’ pockets;

RESOLVED that the California Democratic Party supports the Governor’s call for a windfall profits tax on oil corporations;  

RESOLVED that the California Democratic Party reaffirms its support of measures that increase access to affordable alternatives to internal combustion engine vehicles, measures such as public transit, and forms of zero-emission multi-modal transportation, and zero-emission vehicles.

Submitted by Nadine Peyrucain, Elected Member, District 5

Author: Igor Tregub, AD15, 510-295-8798, itregub@gmail.com 

Sponsors:

California Democratic Party Regions 5, 6, 7; Igor Tregub, AD 15; Nadine Peyrucain, AD 14; Michele Sutter, AD 61; Pamela Drake, AD 18; Dan Kalb, AD 15; Michael Kapp, AD 46; Leah Herzberg, AD 46; Emily Brandt, AD 23; Libby Frolichman, AD 72; Kate Harrison, AD 15; Andrea Beth Damsky, AD 79; David Atkins, AD 37; Jessica Craven, AD 52; Sean Frame, AD 6; Ianthe Zevos, AD 52; Kathy Dervin, AD 20; Devin T. Murphy, AD 15; Elaine Hagen, AD 5; Sara Roos, AD 54; David Mandel, AD 7; Ruth Carter, AD 12; Wendy Bloom, AD 15; Doris Dent, AD 45; Michael Barnett, AD 15; Loraine Lundquist, AD 45; Jerilyn Stapleton, AD 46

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, November 17, 2022

Resolution Supporting the Rights of the People of Iran to Free Expression and Standing in Solidarity with the Women and People of Iran

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DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the November 17, 2022 regular meeting.

WHEREAS a 22-year-old Iranian woman, Mahsa Amini, died after being arrested by the morality police for allegedly violating the Islamic dress code for women on September 16, 2022, reportedly for alleged improper wearing of the hejab, and in response to her death protesters have taken to the streets in more than 50 cities, towns and villages across Iran and reports indicate that Iranian security forces have used lethal force in arresting more than 1,200+ people and killed as many as 87+ people during the demonstrations; and  

WHEREAS Iranian women are at risk of suffering brutality and death for perceived violations of a dress code imposed on them by others; and

WHEREAS the Iranian government has also restricted the internet, cutting access to Instagram and WhatsApp to prevent communication, access to information, freedom of expression to repress the rights of Iranian citizens, journalists, and human rights defenders.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County stands with the people of Iran, particularly women, who are engaged in legitimate and peaceful protests against an oppressive and corrupt regime, and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County condemns those who have routinely and systematically violated human rights, restricted freedom of peaceful assembly and association and freedom of opinion and expression, including the continuing closures of media outlets, arrests of journalists, and censorship of expression in online forums, and we call on the Iranian government and security forces to cease their attacks on (and killing of) those protesting Mahsa Amini’s death, for a thorough and unfettered investigation by a trusted international body into the circumstances of her arrest and cause of death, and full accountability for all those determined to have been responsible for the death of Mahsa Amini and the 87 others, and growing, who have subsequently been killed.

Submitted by Susan Hildreth, Elected member, District 1, on behalf of Sousan Manteghi-Safakish

Co-authors:  Nima Rahimi, Ladan Manteghi, Shebreh Kalantari- Johnson (Councilmember, City of Santa Cruz), Tony Khoshaba, Sousan Manteghi-Safakish

Co-Sponsors: Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, Dr. Shokooh Miry, Edesa Bitbadal, Ryan Khojasteh, Amar Shergill (Chair, Progressive Caucus-CA Dem Party), Mahnaz Moghaddam,  Sina Ferdosi,  Leslie Austin (Chair, San Bernadino County Democratic Central Committee), Aisha Wahab (Councilmember, City of Hayward; Candidate, CA State Senate), Jean Cohen ( Vice-Chair, oSanta Clara County Democratic Party), Maimona Afzal Berta (Board Member, Franklin-McKinley School District; Candidate, Santa Clara County Board of Education, Area 6), Carol Garvey, Richard Constantine (Mayor, City of Morgan Hill), Andrew Goldenkranz (Chair, Santa Cruz County Democratic Party), Katherine Chavez Napoli, Joanne Fierro,  Armando Benavides

Political Organization Co-Sponsors: SCCDP (Santa Clara County Democratic Party), BAIAD (Bay Area Iranian-American Democrats), ADBA (Assyrian Democrats of Bay Area), SVDC (Silicon Valley Democratic Club)

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, November 17, 2022

Proclamation of February 2023 as Black History Month

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DPCCC membership approved the following proclamation at the November 17, 2022 regular meeting.

WHEREAS Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements of Black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of Black people in U.S. history; and  

WHEREAS Black History Month grew out of the establishment, in 1926, of Negro History Week by Carter G. Woodson and through the struggles of other prominent Black Americans in U.S. history; and 

WHEREAS since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month; and 

WHEREAS the actions and rhetoric of certain people and/or entities calls our attention to the fact that it is long past time to confront deep racial inequities and structural racism that continue to plague Contra Costa County and our nation; and  

WHEREAS the unwarranted deaths of Black Americans who fought for civil rights and equality for all in the U.S., including the Port Chicago 50 in Contra Costa County, are symbols of that inequity; and we are reminded to reflect on Black Americans who have been marginalized and negatively impacted the most by false narratives, the economy, health care, education, housing and the disproportionate aftermath of the pandemic in the Black community; and

WHEREAS as we strive to fully live up to the founding principles of the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County– that all people are created equal and have the right to peaceful and prosperous lives – we commit to the goal of having a Central Committee that looks like America – one that reflects the full talents and diversity of the American people; and

WHEREAS we commemorate the long legacy of political and civic leadership within the Black community represented by many Black elected officials in Contra Costa County, including Diana Becton, the first Black woman to serve as the Contra Costa District Attorney, Audrey Comeaux, the first Black woman to serve on the West County Wastewater Board of Directors and Patt Young, the first Black woman to serve on the Contra Costa Water District Board; and

WHEREAS today the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County has Black American party leaders who are publicly elected members, club representatives, and/or California Democratic Party Executive Board members, directly paving the way for greater diversity and Black representation within the Democratic Party;  

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County hereby proclaims February 2023 as Black History Month and encourages all constituents to join us in celebrating this special month; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we call on the Democrats of Contra Costa County to honor the history and achievements of Black Americans and to reflect on the centuries of struggle and progress that have brought us to this time of reckoning, redemption, and hope.

2022 Proclamation revised with input from DPCCC Black American leaders

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, November 17, 2022

Resolution recognizing the City of Hercules and its efforts to combat the wage gap through the Hercules Equal Pay Ordinance

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DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the October 20, 2022 regular meeting.

WHEREAS the City of Hercules is a vibrant and diverse city with over 76% of the city’s population identifying as a person of color; and 

WHEREAS 51% of Hercules residents identify as female; and 

WHEREAS female-identifying residents earn an average of $7,464 less than male-identifying individuals in the city; and 

WHEREAS Hercules’ poverty rate for female-identifying folks stands at 6.91% compared to 3.74% for male-identifying community members; and

WHEREAS female-identifying Hercules residents have higher education attainment than male-identifying residents; and

WHEREAS Vice Mayor Walker-Griffin, introduced and passed the Hercules Equal Pay Ordinance to combat the gender wage gap; and

WHEREAS Hercules is the first and only city in the United States to mandate a signed affidavit agreeing to the terms of the Hercules Equal Pay Ordinance and the California Equal Pay Act; and

WHEREAS failure to sign the agreement or violations results in permanent termination of business in the City of Hercules; and 

WHEREAS the City of Hercules recognizes the importance of addressing the equity gap associated with income and has blazed the trail for other cities to follow; and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County recognizes the City of Hercules for its historical actions to address the wage gap and use this as a platform for other cities and towns to be inspired to combat the wage gap in their cities. 

Submitted by Alex Walker-Griffin, Vice Mayor, City of Hercules

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, October 20, 2022

Resolution in Support of West Contra Costa Adult Education Teachers

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DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the October 20, 2022 regular meeting.

WHEREAS teachers in the West Contra Costa Adult Education system provide instruction in High School Diploma, GED and English as a Second Language, classes for Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities, as well as low cost vocational training and a rich variety of low-fee classes responsive to the changing interests and needs of West County residents, all of which contributes to the economic vitality, physical and emotional health, cultural richness, technological aptitude and academic success of West County’s diverse communities; and

WHEREAS Adult School Teachers United, a union representing adult school teachers in the West Contra Costa Adult Education system, was recognized by the Public Employee Relations Board and West Contra Costa Unified School District in 2017; and 

WHEREAS Adult School Teachers United is still bargaining its first contract with West Contra Costa Unified School District, and negotiations in 2022 have ground almost to a halt.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County recognizes that the work of West Contra Costa Adult Education teachers is a crucial resource for West Contra Costa County which greatly enriches the economic and cultural life of the area; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County declares support for adult educators; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County urges the West Contra Costa Unified School District to conclude negotiations for the first contract for West Contra Costa Adult Education teachers with all possible speed.  The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County will make this request in a letter to the Superintendent of Schools and the Board of Education of the West Contra Costa Unified School District. 

Submitted by Maria Alegria, Elected Member, District 1 and Kristen Pursley, West County Adult School Teachers United 

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, October 20, 2022

Proclamation Recognizing December 10, 2022, as Human Rights Day

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DPCCC membership approved the following proclamation at the October 20, 2022 regular meeting.

WHEREAS the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations on December 10, 1948, and is the first agreement among countries around the world identifying the rights and freedoms that belong to every one of us as human beings; and

WHEREAS December 10 of each year is celebrated around the world as “Human Rights Day”; and

WHEREAS the Declaration consists of a preamble and 30 articles that set out a broad range of fundamental human rights and freedoms to which all of us, everywhere around the world, are entitled. It guarantees our rights without distinction of nationality, place of residence, gender, national or ethnic origin, religion, language, or any other status; and

WHEREAS despite the efforts to protect human rights, the hostility toward human rights and those who defend them continues to rise; and 

WHEREAS Human Rights Day advocates for everyone to stand up for their rights and those of others’ civil, economic, political, and cultural rights; and

WHEREAS Human Rights Day aims to enlighten us about how our rights are a foundation of sustainable development and peaceful societies and acknowledges the advocates and defenders of human rights around the world; and

WHEREAS many residents of Contra Costa County are not aware of their universal rights as enshrined in the Declaration, do not know that the United States is a signatory to this Declaration, and do not know how to obtain redress if their rights are violated; 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County hereby recognizes December 10, 2022, as Human Rights Day and commits to bring forward resolutions in support of human rights issues and to uphold and defend freedom, democracy, and human rights in our own county, in our country, and around the world; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County shall communicate this resolution to Contra Costa County Democrats and Contra Costa Democratic Clubs to increase awareness of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and encourage discussion of the rights and freedoms that belong to every human being.

Submitted by Craig Cheslog, Associate Member, District 5

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, October 20, 2022

Resolution In Support of State Funding for Adult School Classes for Older Adults

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DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the October 20, 2022 regular meeting.

WHEREAS the California Masterplan for Aging, which seeks to establish “A California for all ages” by 2030, has as one of its goals Inclusion and Equity, not Isolation, for California’s seniors; and

WHEREAS the California Democratic Party Platform for 2022 includes support for Adult Education and Community College programs for life-long learning; and

WHEREAS education programs for older adults are a low-cost, effective way to combat isolation and promote healthy aging that can reduce the likelihood of participants contracting dementia by 18% (American Journal of Epidemiology, vol. 155, No.12, June 15, 2002) and can save the state money by improving healthy life expectancy; and

WHEREAS California had, for decades, a robust network of free education opportunities for Older Adults offered through the state’s adult schools and community colleges which was funded by the state, but was completely defunded in adult schools in 2013 and has also been much reduced in the community colleges; and

WHEREAS this network of education opportunities for Older Adults still exists in vestigial form in some community colleges and adult schools and could be brought back in order to fulfill the goals of the Master Plan on Aging.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County recognizes that the State of California needs state-funded educational opportunities for Older Adults in order to fulfill the goals of the California Master Plan on Aging; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County declares support for state funding educational opportunities for older adults through the state’s adult schools and community colleges; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County will review and consider proposed legislation that restores state funding for adult school and community college educational programs for Older Adults.

Submitted by Maria Alegria, Elected Member, District 1 and Kristen Pursley, West County Adult School Teachers United 

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, October 20, 2022