Change Log Format
Short description (< 10 words)
Meeting: [link to meeting minutes]
Vote Count:
Change description: why/what was changed
Previous version
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New version
Mission statement
Meeting: 2023-05-25 General Meeting
Vote Count:
Change description: Adopted a mission for WCU.
Previous version
NA
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Working Class Unity is a member-driven, democratic political organization committed to advancing the cause of socialism openly within San Joaquin County. We are recruiting, educating, and supporting activists who will join the fight for working class power. We want to forge alliances between labor and tenant unions and social movements. It will not be quick or easy, but we believe that workers fighting for one another can build a movement for socialism and build a better world.
New version
Working Class Unity is a member-driven, democratic political organization committed to advancing the cause of socialism openly within San Joaquin County. We are recruiting, educating, and supporting activists who will join the fight for working class power. We want to forge alliances between labor and tenant unions and social movements. It will not be quick or easy, but we believe that workers fighting for one another can build a movement for socialism and build a better world.
Limit steering committee meeting powers
Meeting: :2023-06-08 General Meeting
Vote Count: 
Change description: This was done to ensure that the Steering Committee cannot push items forward for a vote without at least one other Member’s approval.
Previous version
Article IV. Governance | Section 5
Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern Working Class Unity in all applicable cases and in instances where they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order that WCU may adopt.
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Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern Working Class Unity in all applicable cases and in instances where they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order that WCU may adopt.
A motion cannot be both moved and seconded by Steering Committee members alone.
New version
Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern Working Class Unity in all applicable cases and in instances where they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order that WCU may adopt.
A motion cannot be both moved and seconded by Steering Committee members alone.
Designations for legal documents
Meeting: 2023-06-08 General Meeting
Vote Count:
Change description: This was done so we could sign legal documents (incorporation, banking).
Previous version
N/A
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SECTION 13: LEGAL DOCUMENTS
In the context of local, state, federal, and other regulatory documents, the Campaign Coordinator shall hold the title of Chair/President, while the Membership Coordinator shall hold the title of Vice-Chair/Vice-President. These designations are solely for documentation purposes and do not imply any extra duties or privileges within the organization.
New version
SECTION 13: LEGAL DOCUMENTS
In the context of local, state, federal, and other regulatory documents, the Campaign Coordinator shall hold the title of Chair/President, while the Membership Coordinator shall hold the title of Vice-Chair/Vice-President. These designations are solely for documentation purposes and do not imply any extra duties or privileges within the organization.
Adjusting quorum
Meeting: 2023-06-08 General Meeting
Vote Count:
Change description: This was done to ensure that with low levels of membership, quorum could not be met by 1 or two people.
Previous version
A quorum of 10% of the membership in good standing is required for General Meetings.
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A quorum of 10% of the membership in good standing is required for General Meetings. for General Meetings requires either 10% of the Membership or a minimum of three Members in good standing, whichever is greater.**
New version
A quorum for General Meetings requires either 10% of the Membership or a minimum of three Members in good standing, whichever is greater.
Updating the conflict of interest policy
Meeting: 2023-06-08 General Meeting
Vote Count:
Change description: why/what was changed
Previous version
Any member of the Steering Committee or an officer who has a financial interest, direct or indirect, in any matter under consideration by the Steering Committee shall disclose such interest to the Steering Committee.
A member having a conflict of interest in any matter shall not participate in the discussion or vote on that matter, unless the Steering Committee determines that the conflict of interest is not material or significant.
The minutes of the Steering Committee meeting shall reflect the disclosure of any conflict of interest and the abstention from voting on the matter in question.
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Any member of the Steering Committee or an officer who has a financial interest, direct or indirect, in any matter under consideration by the Steering Committee shall disclose such interest to the Steering Committee.
A member having a conflict of interest in any matter shall not participate in the discussion or vote on that matter, unless the Steering Committee determines that the conflict of interest is not material or significant.
The minutes of the Steering Committee meeting shall reflect the disclosure of any conflict of interest and the abstention from voting on the matter in question.
All Members shall adhere to the Conflict of Interest Policy.
Annually, Steering Committee members must complete, sign, and present a Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form to the Membership for approval during a General Meeting.
New version
All Members shall adhere to the Conflict of Interest Policy.
Annually, Steering Committee members must complete, sign, and present a Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form to the Membership for approval during a General Meeting.
Increase timeline for nominations committee
Meeting: 2023-06-08 General Meeting
Vote Count:
Change description: We needed to give nominations committee a month to collect nominations.
Previous version
A two-person Nominations Committee shall be established at least one month prior to every election by a vote of the membership. The call for nominations shall be announced to the membership, and the Nominations Committee shall solicit and receive nominations for the positions to be elected. Members may not nominate themselves.
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A two-person Nominations Committee shall be established at least one two months prior to every election by a vote of the membership. The call for nominations shall be announced to the membership, and the Nominations Committee shall solicit and receive nominations for the positions to be elected. Members may not nominate themselves.
New version
A two-person Nominations Committee shall be established at least two months prior to every election by a vote of the membership. The call for nominations shall be announced to the membership, and the Nominations Committee shall solicit and receive nominations for the positions to be elected. Members may not nominate themselves.
Order of business
Meeting: 2023-11-09 General Meeting
Vote Count:
Change description: We adopted a default order of business so we do not need to approve it at the start of every meeting.
Previous version
NA
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ARTICLE IV. GOVERNANCE | SECTION 5: ORDER OF BUSINESS
The default order of business for General Meetings shall be as follows:
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Introductions
4. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
5. Reports of Members Sick or in Distress
6. Reports of Officers & Committees
7. Unfinished Business
8. New Business + Additional Agenda Items
9. Financial Report
10. Announcements
11. Adjournment
New version
ARTICLE IV. GOVERNANCE | SECTION 5: ORDER OF BUSINESS
The default order of business for General Meetings shall be as follows:
- Call to Order
- Roll Call
- Introductions
- Minutes of the Previous Meeting
- Reports of Members Sick or in Distress
- Reports of Officers & Committees
- Unfinished Business
- New Business + Additional Agenda Items
- Financial Report
- Announcements
- Adjournment
Updating side-quest process
Meeting: 2024-02-01 General Meeting
Vote Count:
Change description: why/what was changed
Previous version
A non-campaign activity can gain democratic approval by being brought as a proposal to the general body at a General Meeting. The proposal will require a simple majority of general meeting attendees. For urgent actions between General Meetings, any member can bring a proposal with five co-signers to the Steering Committee. Should the Steering Committee vote not to approve the proposal or judge it to be non-urgent, it can still be approved at the next General Meeting.
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A non-campaign activity can gain democratic approval by being brought as a proposal to the general body at a General Meeting. The proposal will require a simple majority of general meeting attendees. For urgent actions between General Meetings, any member can bring a proposal with five co-signers to the Steering Committee. Should the Steering Committee vote not to approve the proposal or judge it to be non-urgent, it can still be approved at the next General Meeting. * For urgent actions between General Meetings, any member can bring a proposal to the Membership. The action can be approved with quorum plus one approving the action, or three members in good standing, whichever number is higher. Steering Committee members cannot make up half or majority of the votes. If approved, the Steering Committee, Membership Committee, or a delegation will be in charge of accomplishing the action.
New version
A non-campaign activity can gain democratic approval by being brought as a proposal to the general body at a General Meeting. The proposal will require a simple majority of general meeting attendees. For urgent actions between General Meetings, any member can bring a proposal to the Membership. The action can be approved with quorum plus one approving the action, or three members in good standing, whichever number is higher. Steering Committee members cannot make up half or majority of the votes. If approved, the Steering Committee, Membership Committee, or a delegation will be in charge of accomplishing the action.
Modifying quorum calculation
Meeting: 2024-02-01 General Meeting
Vote Count:
Change description: This method with was adopted so the quorum count will update automatically depending on many members attend general meetings.
Previous version
A quorum for General Meetings requires either 10% of the Membership or a minimum of three Members in good standing, whichever is greater.
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A quorum for General Meetings requires either 10% of the Membership or a minimum of three Members in good standing, whichever is greater.
3.1 Determination of Quorum: The quorum for all General Meetings shall be determined by calculating the average number of members present at the start of each meeting and at the time of each vote taken during that meeting. This average attendance for a single meeting shall then be recorded. The quorum for future General Meetings shall be established by averaging these single-meeting averages from the six most recent General Meetings.
3.2 Calculating the Average Attendance: For the purposes of determining quorum, “average attendance” shall be defining as the sum total of members in Good Standing present at each of the six most recent General Meetings, divided by the number of those meetings. Only meetings where official minutes were recorded and attendance was taken shall be included in this calculation.
3.3 Rounding: If the calculation of fifty percent (50%) of the average attendance results in a fractional number, the quorum shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number.
3.4 Record Keeping and Notification: The Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining accurate records of attendance at all General Meetings and shall calculate and inform the membership of the current quorum requirements in the minutes of the latest General Meeting as well as the start of the upcoming General Meeting.
3.5 Maintenance of Quorum: To ensure quorum is maintained, the quorum will be reassessed immediately prior to any vote taking place, but only if there is change in the number of members present compared to the start of the meeting or compared to the time of the previous vote when quorum was confirmed. If at any point the number of members in good standing present drops below the required quorum due to changes in attendance, no vote shall be conducted until the quorum is re-established.
New version
3.1 Determination of Quorum: The quorum for all General Meetings shall be determined by calculating the average number of members present at the start of each meeting and at the time of each vote taken during that meeting. This average attendance for a single meeting shall then be recorded. The quorum for future General Meetings shall be established by averaging these single-meeting averages from the six most recent General Meetings.
3.2 Calculating the Average Attendance: For the purposes of determining quorum, “average attendance” shall be defining as the sum total of members in Good Standing present at each of the six most recent General Meetings, divided by the number of those meetings. Only meetings where official minutes were recorded and attendance was taken shall be included in this calculation.
3.3 Rounding: If the calculation of fifty percent (50%) of the average attendance results in a fractional number, the quorum shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number.
3.4 Record Keeping and Notification: The Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining accurate records of attendance at all General Meetings and shall calculate and inform the membership of the current quorum requirements in the minutes of the latest General Meeting as well as the start of the upcoming General Meeting.
3.5 Maintenance of Quorum: To ensure quorum is maintained, the quorum will be reassessed immediately prior to any vote taking place, but only if there is change in the number of members present compared to the start of the meeting or compared to the time of the previous vote when quorum was confirmed. If at any point the number of members in good standing present drops below the required quorum due to changes in attendance, no vote shall be conducted until the quorum is re-established.
Updating mission statement
Meeting: 2024-03-07 General Meeting
Vote Count:
Change description: The revision removes geographic limitations that may have limited our broader political work.
Previous version
Working Class Unity is a member-driven, democratic political organization committed to advancing the cause of socialism openly within San Joaquin County. We are recruiting, educating, and supporting activists who will join the fight for working class power. We want to forge alliances between labor and tenant unions and social movements. It will not be quick or easy, but we believe that workers fighting for one another can build a movement for socialism and build a better world.
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Working Class Unity is a member-driven, democratic political organization committed to advancing the cause of socialism openly within San Joaquin Countythe open advancement of socialism. We are recruiting, educating, and supporting activists who will join the fight for working class powerWe prioritize the recruitment, education, and support of people committed to advocating for working-class power.. We want to Our mission is to forge alliances between labor, and tenant unions community, and social movements. It We acknowledge that our objective will not be quick or easy, but we believe that workers fighting for one another achieved quickly or easily. We are dedicated to the journey ahead, confident that through solidarity and collective action, we can build a robust movement for socialism and build create a better world.
New version
Working Class Unity is a member-driven, democratic organization committed to the open advancement of socialism. We prioritize the recruitment, education, and support of people committed to advocating for working-class power. Our mission is to forge alliances between labor, community, and social movements. We acknowledge that our objectives will not be achieved quickly or easily. We are dedicated to the journey ahead, confident that through solidarity and collective action, we can build a robust movement for socialism and create
a better world for all.
Clarifying of membership dues grace period
Meeting: 2024-03-07 General Meeting
Vote Count:
Change description: Clarified that membership starts in good standing and that members have a 30 days late grace period.
Previous version
SECTION 2: GOOD STANDING
- Dues: Members shall be considered in good standing if their dues are paid in full, allowing for a 30-day grace period.
- Attendance: Members in good standing must attend at least one regular meeting per year.
- Conduct: Members in good standing are required to adhere to the values and mission of WCU, refraining from any behavior that violates WCU’s Code of Conduct.
- Residency: Members in good standing must reside, work, or attend school in San Joaquin County, California.
Members in good standing shall possess full voting rights, may hold any office or serve any committee, and may propose business to the membership at any time.
Members of the public who support the mission and purpose of WCU are welcome to participate in the organization’s activities, but shall not have voting rights, nor be eligible to hold office or chair a committee.
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SECTION 2: GOOD STANDING
- Dues: Members shall be considered in good standing if their dues are paid in full, allowing for a 30-day late grace period.
- Attendance: Members begin in good standing. Members in good standing must attend at least one regular meeting per year.
- Conduct: Members in good standing are required to adhere to the values and mission of WCU, refraining from any behavior that violates WCU’s Code of Conduct.
- Residency: Members in good standing must reside, work,
orattend school, or a place of worship in San Joaquin County, California.
Members in good standing shall possess full voting rights, may hold any office or serve any committee, and may propose business to the membership at any time.
Members of the public who support the mission and purpose of WCU are welcome to participate in the organization’s activities, but shall not have voting rights, nor be eligible to hold office or chair a committee.
New version
SECTION 2: GOOD STANDING
- Dues: Members shall be considered in good standing if their dues are paid in full, allowing for a 30-day late grace period.
- Attendance: Members begin in good standing. Members in good standing must attend at least one regular meeting per year.
- Conduct: Members in good standing are required to adhere to the values and mission of WCU, refraining from any behavior that violates WCU’s Code of Conduct.
- Residency: Members in good standing must reside, work, attend school, or a place of worship in San Joaquin County, California.
Members in good standing shall possess full voting rights, may hold any office or serve any committee, and may propose business to the membership at any time.
Members of the public who support the mission and purpose of WCU are welcome to participate in the organization’s activities, but shall not have voting rights, nor be eligible to hold office or chair a committee.
Allow any member to put forward censure vote
Meeting: 2024-03-07 General Meeting
Vote Count:
Change description: This allows any member to put forward a censure vote, instead of only allowing a member of the steering committee to put forward a vote.
Previous version
In the event that a member is found to be in significant violation of WCU’s Code of Conduct, the Steering Committee may recommend censure or expulsion for specific offenses (see Code of Conduct Section X). Censure or expulsion must be ratified by a two-thirds vote of the membership at a General Meeting. A vote for censure or expulsion may also be initiated if a member is found to be in substantial disagreement with the organization’s principles or policies, engages in entryist behavior, or acts under the discipline of another organization.
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In the event that a member is found to be in significant violation of WCU’s Code of Conduct, any Member or the Steering Committee may put forth a recommendation for recommend censure or expulsion**, citing** for specific offenses outlined in the Code of Conduct (see Code of Conduct Section X Code of Conduct Article VI: Prohibited Behavior). Such a recommendation Censure or expulsion must be ratified by a two-thirds majority vote of the membership at a General Meeting. Additionally, any member or the Steering Committee may initiate a A vote for censure or expulsion at the subsequent General Meeting may also be initiated if a member is found to be in substantial disagreement with the organization’s principles or policies, engages in entryist behavior, or acts under the discipline of another organization.
New version
In the event that a member is found to be in significant violation of WCU’s Code of Conduct, any Member or the Steering Committee may put forth a recommendation for censure or expulsion, citing specific offenses as outlined in the Code of Conduct (see Code of Conduct Article VI: Prohibited Behavior). Such a recommendation must be ratified by a two-thirds majority vote of eligible members at a General Meeting. Additionally, any Member or the Steering Committee member may initiate a vote for censure or expulsion at the subsequent General Meeting if a member is found to be in substantial disagreement with the organization’s principles or policies, engages in entryist behavior, or acts under the discipline of another organization.