From Ojai Valley News Ojai Valley gets two chartered Democratic Clubs Kimberly Rivers Aug 7, 2025 Updated Aug 7, 2025

• Kimberly Rivers

Two clubs in the Ojai Valley were granted charters for the coming year at the July 22 meeting of the Ventura County Democratic Club Central Committee.

Ojai Valley Democratic Club

 The Ojai Valley Democratic Club has been granted a “conditional rechartering” that is “subject to the required actions outlined in the Chartering Plan,” according to the Ventura County Democratic Club Central Committee’s Bylaws Committee, following the July 22 meeting,

The report states that the plan “does not constitute disciplinary action.” 

The plan, provided to the Ojai Valley News by OVDC’s newly elected president, Starchild Weivoda, includes several requirements for the club, including holding four public meetings in 2025, making the required changes to the club’s bylaws, and submitting required filings with the state Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). The plan is online with this article. 

Based on records, there was an FPPC violation in 2021. Other filings may need to be amended in subsequent years. Based on the chartering plan from the Central Committee, the OVDC must resolve all of those issues by Sept. 1. 

Weivoda said the club plans to have all filings made to bring the club into compliance by the end of August.

At the club’s July 27 meeting, Weivoda’s election as president was ratified. Jeffrey Starkweather was affirmed in the role of vice president. Starkweather said he hopes someone else steps forward to replace him because he plans to form a Political Action Committee that will be separate and independent from any club. 

Renee Roth was elected as the club’s secretary and new member Ivan Chen was elected treasurer. More information is online at: ojaivalleydemocrats.org.

United Democrats of the Ojai Valley

Maria Ramirez of Ojai is president of the new Democratic club forming in the Ojai Valley, called the United Democrats of the Ojai Valley. She said the club is seeking a vice president. Darlene Killgore is the club’s treasurer and Sarah Alderson is the secretary.  Ramirez, talking with the Ojai Valley News on Aug. 6, said the club was told by the Central Committee that the name initially proposed for the new club — the New Democratic Club of the Ojai Valley — was too similar to the other club. 

Ramirez created an online survey and asked members to vote. On Aug. 6, she said two-thirds of the members had voted for the new name to be United Democrats of the Ojai Valley. 

With the name finalized, Ramirez said the club can set up a website, social media pages and get a bank account. 

Future meetings 

Ojai Valley Democratic Club: Sunday, Aug. 24 - 4:30, location TBD.

United Democrats of the Ojai Valley: Monday, Aug. 11, 5 p.m. Speakers on emergency preparedness, fire hardening and supporting local immigrant families. At 6 p.m. the club will conduct official business.