DPDC Bylaws
INDEX
ARTICLE 1
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: This Committee is organized and exists as a major political party county central committee as provided in ORS Chapter 248.
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: The name of this organization is “Douglas County Democratic Central Committee” (hereinafter called “Central Committee”) also known as Democratic Party of Douglas County.
ARTICLE 2
2.1 OBJECTIVE: The objective of the Central Committee shall be to further the aims of the Democratic Party (hereinafter called the “Party”), to assist in the election of party candidates and to educate party members.
ARTICLE 3
3.1 AUTHORITY: The Central Committee is the highest authority in Democratic matters of the Party in Douglas County, Oregon, and shall have all powers given it by the State of Oregon to manage its affairs and transact its business. The legislative power of the county Party shall be vested in the Central Committee. The Central Committee exercises its authority by a majority vote with a quorum present.
ARTICLE 4
4.1 AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: The Central Committee shall insure the widest and fairest representation of registered Democrats in its organization and activities of the Party in Douglas County, Oregon. All rules shall be adopted by procedures that assure fair and open participation. Discrimination in the conduct of affairs on the basis of race, sex, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, economic status, disability, parenthood, or marital status shall be prohibited. All meetings of the Central Committee shall be open to the public.
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ARTICLE 5
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5.1 MEETINGS: All Party Meetings, including, but not limited to, Executive, Organization, Standing/Special Committees, Platform Convention, Central Committee meetings, may be held either in-person or electronically or a hybrid of in-person and electronic, as determined by the Chair. A virtual meeting platform that allows online and telephone access with bi-directional aural communication must be used. Any ballot vote held at a meeting must be accessible to every credentialed voter in its respective physical or electronic form, whenever applicable.
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5.2 MEMBERSHIP: The Party Precinct Committee Persons of Douglas County shall constitute the Central Committee. Precinct Committee Persons shall be elected in the manner provided by Oregon law. Oregon law requires a person receive at least three votes during a Primary Election and be a registered Oregon Democrat for at least six months prior to the filing date. A person may be appointed as a Precinct Committee Person by election at a Central Committee meeting. He/She must be present at said meeting or submit a written request. A Committee person may resign by written notice to the Central Committee Secretary or be recalled in the manner provided by State Law.
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5.3 VACANCIES IN OFFICE OF PRECINCT COMMITTEE PERSON: In the event the County Clerk shall declare a vacancy in the office of a Precinct Committee Person, the vacancy shall be filled in the manner provided by law. The Central Committee may, at any meeting at which a quorum is present, select a person to fill a vacancy. The Executive Committee may, in advance of a selection to fill any vacancy, screen the person nominated for eligibility and make its recommendation. The County Clerk shall determine the eligibility of any person so selected in the manner provided by law, i.e., the person lives in that or an adjacent precinct. Persons to be selected to fill a vacancy must consent to selection
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5.4 DUTIES: The Central Committee shall:
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5.4.1 Elect the officers of the Central Committee.
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5.4.2 Fill vacancies in the Central Committee officers.
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5.4.3 Approve action of the Executive Committee when required. (See Article 12.3)
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5.4.4 Adopt Substantive Resolutions, procedure for which is outlined in Article XVI.
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5.4.5 Call a County Convention of the Party if the executive committee or central committee requests.
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5.4.6 Elect delegates and alternates to the State Central Committee and all Congressional District Committees. Delegates to said committees shall be elected or appointed precinct persons or any registered Douglas County Democrat.
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5.4.7 Transact business consistent with Oregon State Law.
ARTICLE 6
6.1 ORGANIZATION MEETING: This meeting will be for the purpose of organizing the Douglas County Democratic Central Committee by electing officers, delegates to the State Central Committee and the Congressional District Committee. Other committees as are necessary for the operation of the Central Committee shall be appointed by the Chair. This meeting shall take place after the general election and not later than 50 days after said election. Copies of the current bylaws will be available at the meeting for all precinct persons. All elected and appointed Precinct Committee Persons may vote to select State Central Committee and Congressional District Delegates and Alternates. (see 7.2 below)
6.2 The Corresponding Secretary will: 1) within seven days after the general election, electronically notify the county clerk's office, the secretary of the State Central Committee, and all Democratic precinct committee persons regarding the date, time, and place of the Organization meeting*; 2) not less than 10 days prior to the organization meeting, obtain a certified copy of all precinct committee persons from the county clerk to be used for credentialing at the Organization meeting; 3) not less than 10 days prior to the Organization meeting, again notify all precinct committee persons regarding the date, time, and place of the meeting, along with any details desired by the Chair. * precinct committee persons who do not have email will be contacted telephonically and/or by mail by the Corresponding Secretary
6.3 Corresponding Secretary must notify the local media ten (10) days prior to the meeting date.
6.4 After the organizational meeting, the newly elected Corresponding Secretary will send a list of newly elected officers to the Douglas County Clerk and to the Secretary of the State Central Committee within 48 hours of the election of officers. The Corresponding Secretary shall send a list of delegates and alternates to the State Central Committee and the Congressional District within 48 hours of the election.
6.5 Resignation and Recall of Central Committee Officers and Members of the Executive Committee.
6.5.1 An officer of the Central Committee, a Chair or Vice-Chair of any committee, any member of the Executive Committee, and any State Central Committee Delegate may resign by submitting written notice to the County Chair and such resignation shall be effective immediately upon receipt thereof by the County Chair. In case of the County Chair, resignation shall be effective immediately upon receipt thereof by the Vice-Chair.
6.5.2 Recall
6.5.2.1 By vote of the majority at any meeting of the Central Committee where at least 20% of the total number of the precincts are represented, any officer of the Central Committee, Delegate to the State Central Committee, or Congressional District Delegate may be recalled for cause, including but not limited to:
6.5.2.1.1 Absence from three Central Committee meetings during any twelve month period.
6.5.2.1.2 Except in the case of Congressional District Delegates, absence from three Executive Committee meetings during any twelve-month period.
6.5.2.1.3 Declaration of candidacy for any non-Democratic nomination for elective office (in a partisan race).
6.5.2.1.4 Endorsement of any non-Democratic candidate for elective office.
6.5.2.2 The person to be recalled must be notified 10 days prior to the meeting in which the proposed action is to occur.
6.5.3 Upon notification that a State or Congressional Delegate has missed (unexcused) three consecutive District of State meetings, the position will be declared vacant and they will be replaced at the next meeting of the Central Committee.
6.5.4 At the next meeting following the death, resignation, or recall of the Chair, Vice-Chair, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, or Treasurer, candidates to fill such vacancy shall be nominated. The Central Committee shall fill the vacancy from the candidates nominated at the meeting. Voting shall be by secret ballot at open and public meetings and a simple majority shall be required to elect.
6.5.5 Temporary appointment to fill vacancies. The Executive Committee may make temporary appointments to fill vacancies in the positions of Vice-Chair, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, or Treasurer from the time such vacancies occur until the unexpired terms can be filled by special election as provided in paragraph 6.5.4. Any person so appointed shall enjoy full powers of the office until such time as the vacancy is filled.
ARTICLE 7
7.1 OFFICERS OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE: The officers of the Central Committee are Chair, Vice-Chair (of opposite sex; a goal, though not required), Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer. Additional officers may be elected by the Central Committee. Eligibility: any legal resident of Douglas County who is a registered Democrat for a minimum of six months. The officers shall be nominated from the floor and elected at the organizational meeting of the Central Committee.
7.2 VOTING FOR OFFICERS: Voting shall be by secret ballot at an open and public meeting by a simple majority (50% plus 1). If no candidate achieves a simple majority, there shall be a run-off election between the two (2) candidates with the highest number of votes. Only Precinct Committee Persons elected in the primary election may vote for officers.
7.3 DUTIES OF OFFICERS:
7.3.1 CHAIR shall: Preside at all meetings of the Central Committee and the Executive Committee. The party Chair shall be a delegate to the State Central Committee, and may be a Congressional Committee Delegate. The Chair shall appoint all standing or special committees and the committees shall serve at the pleasure of the Chair. If the Chair is a precinct committee person, he/she shall have all the privileges of debate and voting accorded to all Central Committee persons. The Chair may appoint legal counsel for the Democratic Party of Douglas County. The Chair may appoint an Audit Committee (consisting of a committee of three, or a certified public accountant). The Chair shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.
7.3.2 VICE-CHAIR shall: Preside in the absence of the Chair and shall act as Chair when the office is vacant, until a successor is elected.
7.3.3 RECORDING SECRETARY shall: update and maintain records for the Central Committee and maintain a copy for the office and keep minutes of both the Central Committee and Executive Committee meetings, provide copies of the minutes to the Chair within 10 days after said meeting and keep a copy on file, maintain a correct record of the current bylaws, forward the minutes to the Corresponding Secretary within 15 days after meeting of the Central Committee to be distributed electronically and add date of next meeting to bottom of minutes, and keep a list of precinct committee persons attending Central Committee meetings.
7.3.4 CORRESPONDING SECRETARY shall: update and maintain e-mail list of Douglas County Central Committee and its confidentiality, send e-mails which identify local and state Democratic issues, forward Central Committee minutes via e-mail, and send e-mails regarding monthly meeting dates and agenda, attend Executive Committee and Central Committee meetings regularly, maintain the “Van” and “My Campaign” lists for the Central Committee Maintain, send correspondence regarding special situations or as directed by the Chair and add date of next meeting to bottom of minutes. Maintain an up-to-date roster of precinct committee persons, send notice to the Douglas County Clerk when the Central Committee elects a person to fill a vacancy in the precinct.
7.3.5 In the event that there are not two individuals willing to fill the secretarial positions, one person may serve in both capacities and shall be known as the Secretary.
7.3.6 TREASURER shall: Have custody of the funds of the Central Committee and shall keep an account of all receipts and expenditure. The treasurer shall issue checks only upon authorization of the Central Committee, the Executive Committee, or the adopted budget. The treasurer shall submit to the Chair a reasonable number of copies of a written financial report at each Central Committee and Executive Committee meeting. The Treasurer’s books shall be open to inspection on the written request of any member of the Central Committee. The inspection shall be offered no later than seven (7) days after receipt of the notice. The Treasurer shall have the books ready for audit at the end of his/her term of office or at any time upon request of the Central Committee or the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall be a member of the Ways and Means Committee. Two authorized signatures shall be required on all checks for any amount greater than $250.00 drawn against the Central Committee funds, if not included in the current year’s approved budget.
ARTICLE 8
8.1 DELEGATES TO STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE: Delegates to the State Central Committee shall perform the duties prescribed by Oregon State law and the bylaws of the Democratic Party of Oregon. An Alternate shall attend the State Central Committee meeting and have voting privileges if the Delegate is unable to attend. State Central Committee meetings are quarterly. Delegates who have three consecutive unexcused absences from either the Douglas County Central Committee meetings, Executive Committee meetings, or the State Central Committee meetings are considered as having resigned as a delegate. Alternates who miss three consecutive Douglas County Central Committee meetings are considered to have resigned.
8.2 DELEGATES TO THE 4th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT COMMITTEE: Delegates to the 4th Congressional District shall perform the duties prescribed by the 4th Congressional District Committee and the Democratic Party of Oregon. An Alternate shall attend the Congressional District Committee meeting and have voting privileges if the Delegate is unable to attend. Delegates to the 4th Congressional District Committee who have three consecutive unexcused absences from either the 4th Congressional District meetings, Executive Committee meetings, or the Douglas County Central Committee meetings are considered to have resigned as a delegate. Alternates who miss three consecutive Douglas County Central Committee meetings are considered to have resigned.
ARTICLE 9
9.1 ELECTION AND TERMS: All officers and delegates shall be elected by secret ballot at the Organization Meeting to be held within fifty (50) days following the General Election. They shall serve for two (2) years. At the Organization Meeting, only Precinct Committee persons elected in the preceding May Primary are eligible to form a quorum and vote for officers. To be eligible, the person must be listed on a certified copy of Elected Precinct Committee persons obtained from the Douglas County Clerk’s office. Appointed and elected Precinct Committee Persons may vote for State Central Committee and Congressional District Committee Delegates and for other official business.
9.2 Delegates to the State Central Committee and delegates to the Congressional District Committee shall be elected and vacant delegate positions shall be filled as follows:
9.2.1 Separate elections shall be held for State Central Committee delegates and for Congressional District Committee delegates.
9.2.2 Nominations for delegates shall be taken. Delegates shall be gender balanced to the extent possible.
9.2.2.1 SCC delegates and alternate delegate positions shall be elected as specified in the Bylaws of the Democratic Party of Oregon; that is, by a process that recognizes three (3) gender categories: female, male and non-binary, and that assures that no gender category shall have greater representation than 50 percent plus one. Non-binary delegate positions shall reduce the male and female delegate positions as evenly as possible. Replacement preference for alternate delegates will utilize gender category first. Racial, age, physical ability, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity will also be considered when electing members to the SCC.
9.2.3 Each elected Precinct person may cast the number of votes equivalent to the number of Delegate positions available to Douglas County by the Bylaws of the Democratic Party of Oregon, with no more than one (1) vote to be cast for any one candidate.
9.2.4 The Chair of the meeting shall appoint a committee to tally the vote and the committee shall report election of candidates in order of the number of votes each receives, the candidate receiving the most votes at the top.
9.2.5 The Chair shall count down the report until enough names have been selected to fill all available positions of Delegates to the State Central Committee and Delegates to the 4th Congressional District Committee. The delegates, or in the case of an odd number, the delegates and the first alternate, shall consist of an equal number of men and women. The remainder of the names on the roster shall be designated alternates. Alternates shall be deemed elected in rank order of replacement preference with each successive pair of alternates consisting of one man and one woman.
9.2.6 Vacancy of any office, including Delegates to the State Central Committee and Delegates to the Congressional District Committee, may be filled by the county Central Committee by election at subsequent meetings.
ARTICLE 10
10.1 STANDING COMMITTEES shall be: Ways and Means, Resolutions and Platform, Social, Organization and Recruitment, and Rules. Standing Committees shall make periodic reports to the Central and Executive Committee and such other reports as the Chair may require.
10.1.1 Ways and Means. The Ways and Means Committee shall work with the Treasurer and Chair in the development of the budget to be submitted to the Executive Committee and the Central Committee. They shall be responsible for initiating fundraising activities.
10.1.2 Platform and Resolutions Committee. The Platform and Resolutions Committee shall prepare position papers and recommend actions to the Central Committee.
10.1.3 Social Committee. The Social Committee shall be responsible for planning and coordinating social events.
10.1.4 Organization and PCP Recruitment Committee. Secure committee persons for all precincts and train in organization techniques.
10.1.5 Candidate Recruitment and Support Committee. Identify, encourage and counsel Democrats to seek partisan elective offices and elective positions at all levels of government. Provide counsel to prospective candidates to inform them of other possible candidates, sound campaign practices, assistance that may be provided by the Democratic Party, and other services available.
10.1.6 Rules Committee. Review the bylaws regularly and recommend amendments as needed. They will provide for approval at any convention of the procedure under which the convention will operate. Develop operating procedures for conventions.
10.2 OTHER COMMITTEES shall be Young Democrats and Democratic Women
10.2.1 Young Democrats Committee: The Young Democrats will work to engage young voters to become active party members.
10.2.2 Democratic Women Committee: Democratic Women will work to engage women and women’s issues.
ARTICLE 11
11.1 REGULAR MEETINGS: The Central Committee shall meet monthly, when necessary. Meetings shall be called by the Chair, Executive Committee, or by petition of ten percent (10%) of the Central Committee members. Petitions shall be submitted to the Secretary, specifying the date of the proposed meeting. Notice of Central Committee meetings shall be mailed, e-mailed or phoned to all members not less than ten (10) days prior to the meeting. Each meeting notice shall include an agenda of the principal matters proposed for consideration.
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: A quorum shall consist of fifteen percent (15%) of the elected and appointed precinct persons.
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: Each elected or appointed precinct committee person shall have one (1) vote. Voting by proxy shall not be allowed.
ARTICLE 12
12.1 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers of the Central Committee (Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary), the immediate past Chair, the elected delegates to the State Central Committee and the Congressional District, Chair of Young Democrats, Chair of Douglas County Democratic Women’s Federation and any additional members appointed by the Chair and approved by the Executive Committee. An appointed member may be removed from the Executive Committee by the Chair with the majority approval of the Executive Committee.
12.2 QUORUM: A quorum shall be one-half (1/2) of the membership of the Executive Committee.
12.3 DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: The Executive Committee shall conduct all necessary business of the Central Committee between meetings of the Central Committee. The Executive Committee shall have all of the power of the Central Committee, subject to review and approval at the next Central Committee meeting, whenever practicable. It shall coordinate activities of all Standing Committees and plan the agenda for Central Committee meetings.
12.4 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS: Executive Committee meetings other than closed sessions or those conducted electronically shall be open to all members of the Central Committee. The Chair may request a closed session. No decision will be made in closed session. Meetings shall be at least once a month, except when the committee may vote to waive a meeting. Telecommunications may be used for a meeting. All members of the Executive Committee must be reached (if they are available by telecommunication) and notification of a decision and the vote count may be recorded at the next Executive Committee meeting. Meetings may be held by electronic communications. Any decision by vote must be recorded.
12.5 MINUTES: Minutes of each Executive Committee meeting shall be taken, and shall reflect the members present, the nature of discussion, motions made and votes taken. Such minutes shall be available at the next Central Committee meeting following the Executive Committee meeting, when appropriate.
12.6 RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL OF MEMBERS: A member of the Executive Committee who actively and openly supports a non-Democratic candidate for partisan elective office when a Democrat is running for the same office is subject to removal by a two-thirds vote of the Central Committee.
ARTICLE 13
13.1 BUDGET: The Executive Committee shall submit a proposed budget for the calendar year at the first meeting of the year of the Central Committee.
13.2 AMENDMENT OF PROPOSED BUDGET: Members of the Central Committee may offer amendments to the proposed budget. Such amendments would require approval of a majority of members present at the meeting.
13.3 ADOPTION OF BUDGET: The proposed budget, including approved amendments, shall become the budget upon approval of a majority of the members present at the meeting.
13.4 REVISION OF AMENDMENT OF THE BUDGET: Revisions or amendments may be submitted either by Central Committee members to the Executive Committee or may be initiated by the Executive Committee. Changes of less than ten percent (10%) of the budget may be approved by a majority of the Executive Committee and need not be referred back to the Central Committee. Changes of over ten percent (10%) of the budget must be approved by a majority of the members of the Central Committee at the next regular meeting.
ARTICLE 14
14.0 DOUGLAS COUNTY PLATFORM CONVENTION AND STATE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM CONVENTION
14.1 Douglas County Platform Convention. A Douglas County Platform Convention may be called on even numbered years prior to the State Convention. The purpose of this convention shall be to adopt a platform and to nominate delegates to the State Convention. All Democrats registered to vote in Douglas County shall be eligible to participate in accordance with the rules of the convention.
14.2 Election of Delegates and Alternates to State Platform Convention.
14.2.1 Douglas County Delegation. The State Democratic Party will determine how many delegates and alternates may represent Douglas County at the Oregon State Democratic Platform Convention.
14.2.2 Nomination of Delegates. Nominations will be made at the Douglas County Central Committee meeting or at the Douglas County Platform Convention. All registered Douglas County Democrats are eligible to be delegates or alternates.
14.2.3 Election of Delegates and Alternates. Voting shall be conducted by a plurality voting system at a Douglas County Central Committee meeting in accordance with the DPO deadline.
14.2.4 Determination of winners. Delegates shall be determined by the order of the number of votes each receives in this election.
ARTICLE 15
15.0 ENDORSEMENTS IN POLITICAL RACES:
15.1 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY: Officers need to promote a vigorous primary race where all Democrats are assisted equally by the Party. No endorsements may be made in the primary. No officer may endorse any candidate other than a Democratic candidate. Such an endorsement would cause the officer to be subject to recall.
15.2 NON-PARTISAN: A candidate may be endorsed with a 2/3 vote of the Central Committee. No endorsements may be made until after the close of candidate filing.
ARTICLE 16
16.0 RESOLUTIONS:
16.1 RESOLUTIONS: Any member of the Douglas County Central Committee may submit a copy of a resolution to the Chair who will submit it to the Platform and Resolutions Committee, which will assist the writer regarding proper form and content. Said committee will then present the resolution to the Central Committee with or without recommendation. A copy of the resolution must be sent to precinct persons no less than 10 days prior to the meeting of the Central Committee in which action on the resolution will be considered.
16.2 OTHER RESOLUTIONS: The Central Committee may consider other resolutions at a regular Central Committee meeting if:
16.2.1 Presented in proper written form as used by the State Central Committee’s Platform and Resolutions Committee.
16.2.2 Two-thirds of the Central Committee agreed to waive the 10-day notice requirements
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​ 16.2.3 Approval. All resolutions need a simple majority to be approved.
16.3 Time sensitive resolutions may be submitted to and passed or rejected by the Executive Committee and shall be considered by the procedures in 16.2 above.
ARTICLE 17
17.0 GEOGRAPHIC SUBDIVISIONS:
17.1 The Central Committee, when and where practicable, and upon demand, may divide into geographical political organization groups of precinct committee persons, known as committees, associations, or subdivisions, as follows:
17.1.1 Central. Roseburg, Winston, Green and surrounding area.
17.1.2 Eastern. Dixonville, Glide, Idleyld, Tokatee and Diamond Lake.
17.1.3 Western. Reedsport and surrounding area, including Scottsburg and Loon Lake.
17.1.4 Southern. Myrtle Creek, Canyonville, Riddle, Glendale, Days Creek, Tiller, and Azalea.
17.1.5 Northern. Sutherlin, Oakland, Drain and Yoncalla and Elkton
17.2 The objectives of the subdivision central committees shall be to further the aims of the Democratic Party, to assist in the election of Party candidates, and to educate Party members.
17.3 Such geographical central committees shall be responsible to the Central Committee on all matters of countywide concern and all such matters must be submitted to the Central Committee for decision and action.
17.4 Subdivision central committees may sponsor Democratic activities to promote the aims and objectives of the Party, the Central Committee and the subdivision.
17.5 All geographic committees within Douglas County shall submit names and addresses of contact persons, dates and times of meetings and other relevant and pertinent information to the Central Committee Chair for publication in the DCDCC minutes.
17.6 Formation and organization of all such additional geographic subdivisions and organizations shall be subject to the approval of the Executive Committee and the Central Committee.
17.7 Notice of all meetings with an agenda shall be given to the Chair of the Central Committee seven days prior to the meeting.
ARTICLE 18
18.1 AMENDMENT OF THESE BYLAWS: These bylaws of the Democratic Central Committee of Douglas County may be amended or changed by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Members present and voting at any regular meeting, or a specially called meeting, other than the Organization meeting with appropriate prior notice to Members (Precinct Committee Persons)
18.2 NOTICE REQUIREMENTS: “Notice” under these Bylaws, unless provided otherwise, may be
made in any of the following ways:
18.2.1 Vocal notice, at the immediately prior Central Committee meeting or by telephone, is
effective immediately for those PCPs in attendance. PCPs not in attendance will receive written notice as described in 18.2.2
18.2.2 Written notice, at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the meeting by:
18.2.2.1 E-mail to the last known email address provided by the Precinct Committee Person to receive notice, effective upon confirmation from the Corresponding Secretary that the email was delivered;
18.2.2.2 First-class mail, postage paid, if no email address is known.
18.2.3 Precinct Committee Persons are responsible for notifying the Corresponding Secretary
of changes in their preferred contact method or contact information and in verifying that
official communications are properly received.
18.3 The rules committee shall meet as soon as possible after the Primary Election to review the bylaws and recommend any changes for approval by the Central Committee at or before the last Central Committee meeting prior to the Organization meeting. Such approval shall constitute a fresh adoption of the bylaws by the Central Committee.
ARTICLE 19
19.1 PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES AND AUTHORITY: Roberts Rules of Order, newly revised shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters not covered in the Democratic Central Committee of Douglas County Bylaws. For the purpose of determining the outcome of any vote taken under these bylaws, an abstention shall be counted as a vote cast.