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CLNAC Bylaws

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE NATIVE AMERICAN CAUCUS BYLAWS

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of the organization is the California Legislative Native American Caucus.

ARTICLE II: MISSION

Section 1.

The goals and objective of the Caucus are, but are not limited:

  1. To increase awareness and education among non-Californian Native American legislators about California Native cultures, history, and social impacts;
  2. To identify and prioritize issues for joint advocacy that Caucus members, representing California Native American constituents, and tribal governments, can bring before the state legislature;
  3. To support the establishment and maintenance of the tribal-state communication and policy processes;
  4. To encourage open dialogue, understanding, and cooperation between the sovereign California Native American governments and state governments based on respect for individual and sovereign rights;
  5. To promote and expand California Native representation in elected offices;
  6. To provide training and resources for newly elected Caucus members; and
  7. To work with the California Tribal governments, state and other governments, Caucuses, and issue-focused organizations on issues of mutual concerns.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.

There may be several bipartisan membership classifications within the Caucus representing the diversity and inclusion of both houses.

Section 2.

  1. Preferred members are state legislators that are a California Native American and an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe.
  2. Regular members are Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Hawaiian Natives legislators who are currently serving in the Assembly or Senate.
  3. Regular members are assembly and senate members currently serving in the state legislature who have demonstrated positive advocacy on California Native issues.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS

Section 1.

The Chairperson of the California Legislative Native American caucus shall be of California Native American descent as specified in Article III: section 2 item 1. The Vice-Chair shall be a regular member as defined in Article III: Section 2 item 2.

Section 2.

The elected officers of the Caucus shall receive no salaries.

Section 3.

Any vacancy shall be filled only for the unexpired term of the vacant office. The Caucus will take nominations once notified of the vacancy, and a meeting will be scheduled to fill the vacancy.

Section 4.

Officers may be removed by a majority vote when a quorum is present at a meeting.

ARTICLE V: OFFICERS' DUTIES

Section 1.

The chair shall preside at all California Legislative Native American Caucus meetings, shall be responsible for preparing the agenda for all regular meetings, shall perform other duties that are pertinent to the office, and shall establish committees and sub-committees. The Caucus Chair shall appoint the chair and member to each committee and sub-committee. The chair will determine if press releases, letters, and legislation are controversial. If something is determined to be controversial, the Caucus will discuss via email, text message, virtual meeting, or conference call.

Section 2.

The vice-chair shall assume the chair's duties during any absence of the chair and perform such duties as may be assigned by the chair.

ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS

Section 1.

The entire Caucus shall meet to the discretion of the chair.

Section 2.

The Caucus chair shall call additional meetings.

Section 3.

Minutes will only include action items voted on.

ARTICLE VII: VOTING

Section 1. 

Each member has the right to cast one vote. Absentee voting of members may be allowed subject to prior notice and approval of the chair. An absentee vote shall be in writing. Additionally, members may, with prior notification and approval to the chair, take part and voting at a Caucus meeting via telephonic and virtual means.

Section 2.

No member may substitute or authorize another member or staff person to exercise their vote by proxy.

Section 3.

A "quorum" must be present to conduct business. The presence of a majority of Caucus members shall constitute a quorum.

Section 4.

All Caucus matters requiring a vote shall carry by a majority of those present and voting unless otherwise specified by these bylaws.

Section 5.

For the purpose of establishing a quorum and voting, a member is "present" if they are physically at the meeting, virtually, or participating telephonically.

ARTICLE VIII: AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

Section 1.

The bylaws for the California Legislative Native American Caucus may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the membership. The chair can make a non-substantive editorial change at any time.