College Democrats Constitution
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Section 1: Name
The name of the organization shall be the UWEC College Democrats.
Clause A: Changing this name shall require a 2/3 vote from the eligible, voting members of the organization.
Section 2: Purpose
College Democrats has been designed to draw together students with the common interest of the political process. We believe that the ultimate future of the United States lies in effective participation of young people in the political process. This participation includes campaigning for candidates in whom we believe, as well as working in activities which will transform our beliefs into constructive action. We are convinced the College Democrats have a distinct progressive political point of view to express; all of our activities shall be directed toward the most effective expression of that point of view.
Section 3: Rules
The College Democrats shall be responsible for the observance of the rules and regulations established by the University. No funds collected from membership dues, fees, or fundraising efforts shall be used to purchase alcohol or promotional materials for events that can only legally be attended by members of a certain age.
Section 1: Voting Members
Members may become eligible to cast a vote on official business when the annual dues at minimum of $5 have been paid. They must be on record as having paid the dues. Additionally, they must meet the attendance requirement, as voted by the general body. Discrepancies may be addressed by the President and Vice President.
Clause A: A suspension of dues may be deemed appropriate only by the President and Treasurer.
Clause B: Consistent with all applicable federal and state laws and University policies, this organization and its subordinate bodies, officers and members shall extend membership and all membership privileges, including voting and eligibility to hold office, to all students without regard to age, ethnicity, gender (except as otherwise permitted by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972), disability, color, national origin or ancestry, religion, sexual orientation or expression, veteran status, or parental or marital status.
Clause C: Disputes regarding discrimination shall first be addressed by a judicial committee formed by the President, Vice-President and the 3 senior most members of the organization.
Clause D: The executive board shall vote each year on annual dues and attendance requirements for members of the executive board, as well as specific cases.
Clause E: The control of the College Democrats must rest with the members of the organization.
Section 1: Advisor
The advisor shall be a faculty or staff member at UWEC and shall have the right to attend all meetings of the College Democrats, and shall be deferred to in matters of dispute which can not otherwise be resolved by the group.
Section 1: Officers
Clause A: All officers must be UW-Eau Claire students in good academic standing and voting members of the organization.
Clause B: The organization shall maintain a minimum of four members, 3/4 of whom must be currently enrolled for at least one semester hour of credit at UW-Eau Claire.
Clause C: UW-Eau Claire students must make up ¾ of the organization’s membership.
Clause D: All leadership positions in the organization must be held by students enrolled at UW-Eau Claire for at least half time. Half time is a minimum of six(6) credits for undergraduates and a minimum of three(3) credits for graduate students.
Section 2: Titles
Titles of the executive board shall include, but not be limited to a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary.
Clause A: The President shall be the presiding officer of the organization and shall be deferred to in matters of dispute and questions regarding the functioning of the organization. He or she shall preside over meetings unless alternatives are deemed necessary. He or she shall also act as the official representative of the organization in and outside of the University community. The President shall, along with the Treasurer be listed on the official university financial account(s). The President may also grant additional powers to any member of the executive board. The President may not remove the basic powers that are listed in the constitution. The President also is reserved the right to appoint any vacant positions on the primary executive board. These appointments shall be valid until the next election. In case of vacancy, the President shall appoint unless contested. In the event that a vacant spot is contested, a special election must be held.
Clause B: The Vice-President shall be the assistant presiding officer of the organization and shall be the primary parliamentarian in the organization, assisting the President in matters related to constitutionality and legality. Additionally, the Vice-President shall also assist in event coordinating, with particular jurisdiction on College Democrats of Wisconsin (CDW), and the Democratic Leadership Institute (DLI). In the event the voting body is split in a decision, the Vice-President shall cast the tie-breaking vote.
Clause C: The Treasurer shall be, in addition to the President, listed on the official university financial account(s). The Treasurer is the sole financial advisor in all actions of the organization, as well as fundraising and planning with the cooperation of the president to create committees as seen fit. He or she is to be the person to handle all funds and keep track of outgoing expenses, and making financial decisions at his or her discretion that best benefit the organization. The treasurer must consult the executive board for all purchases at or above $50, and must consult with the general body for all purchases at or above $250. In addition, the treasurer shall keep track of finances on a spreadsheet, and review expenses to the executive board each month.
Clause D: The Secretary shall be the recorder of all meetings and provide the official correspondence from the group. He or she is to record minutes and detail votes for matters of further reference. Additionally, the Secretary is in charge of all mass communications in coordination with the President and maintaining an
accurate group e-mailing list. The Secretary shall keep on record attendance of the general organization and of the executive board.
Section 4: Terms of Office
Each member of the executive board (with the exception of the President, see Clause B) may serve multiple one-year terms beginning at the first business meeting of the spring semester and ending in the last business meeting of the fall semester. Abdication of a post mid-term is permitted with written explanation handed into the President to be kept on file for future needs.
Clause A: The removal of an executive board member is only permitted if an executive board member egregiously fails to execute the duties listed in the constitution. A unanimous consensus is required by all uninvolved members of the executive board.Section 5: Creation of Secondary Executive Board Positions/Directorships
Clause B: The President has a term limit of two academic years. In the event that the president leaves office, the Vice President may serve the remainder of that term and one additional term.
The creation of additional members of the executive board may be created at the discretion of the President or Vice-President. The powers granted to these directors must be agreed to by a majority vote of voting members. The term of the secondary executive board position shall be one year, in tandem with the terms of the executive board. The creation of directorships may occur at anytime during the President's term and expires with the president's term, unless otherwise decided upon by the organization. Members may hold directorships in tandem with primary executive board positions. Members may not hold two primary executive board positions, however. Secondary Executive board positions that are suggested, but not limited to, are Public Relations, Communications, and Political Director.
Section 6: President Emeritus:
Past Presidents are reserved a seat on the executive board if so desired, and approved by a simple majority of the executive board. They are to be deferred to for their experience and granted the recognition befit of a past President, but hold no voting rights on the executive board. Additionally, a 50% attendance is required of a President Emeritus.
Section 1: Frequency of Elections
Elections for positions on the executive board are to be held during the last business meeting of the fall semester.
Section 2: Electoral Procedure
Clause A: Elections are to be overseen by an election warden, nominated by the President and voted upon by organization with a simple majority. The election warden serves as an unbiased administer of ballots and counter of ballots. They
are not to be involved in the voting or running for a seat on the executive board.
Clause B: Secret ballots are to be administered and used for the elections. Each post shall be voted on separately following the candidate's reason's for running, if they choose to do so. The candidate is to be out of the room while his or her ballot is being administered. The candidate may cast a ballot prior to the general casting of votes.
Clause C: The new executive board may begin their term at the close of the final meeting of the fall semester.
Clause D: Each executive board position is to be voted on individually, descending from the President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. Current executive board members may run for their current position plus one additional position.
Clause E: All election procedures shall be reasonable and unbiased as well as be inclusive of all members and be self-governed; in order to keep elections fair and democratic in nature.
Section 3: Special Elections
Special elections may be deemed necessary with a majority vote of the organization. They may serve to replace primary members of the executive board. Such elections are to follow standard election procedure.
Section 4: Accused Election Misconduct
Any election that is considered misconduct by one of the involved parties will be referred to an electoral commission consisting of the election warden and one member of the organization chosen by each candidate. The majority vote from the electoral commission shall decide the outcome of the contested election.
Section 5: Candidacy
Candidacy is secured through the nomination of a voting member from two other voting members of the organization. The nominations process shall occur the meeting before the elections, in order for the candidates to campaign if they desire. The election warden shall be appointed the week of nominations.
Clause A: Campaigning is to be conducted only during the week between the nominations and the election. During this week, candidates may solicit votes from the members. Any harassment reported will be explored by the election warden and appropriate consequences administered as deemed necessary by the election warden.
Clause B: Electronic campaigning is not permitted unless regulated by the executive board. All other campaigning issues will be decided upon by the executive board and the election warden.
Section 1: Quorum
Clause A: A forty percent quorum of voting members is required to conduct business. A suspension of quorum may be voted on by present members at each meeting.
Clause B: In order for business procedures to pass there must be a simple majority vote of present members.
Clause C: In order for amendments to pass there must be a 2/3 majority vote of present members.
Section 2: Meeting Frequency
Meetings shall occur on a weekly basis, or as otherwise determined by the executive board.
Section 3: Business Meetings
Business meetings are those that concern the organization as a whole and are open to the public. They are the only meetings in which voting can take place. These meetings shall be recorded by the Secretary and filed for reference purposes. Business meetings are to be advertised to the general public no later than 1 day prior to the meeting.
Section 4: Conduct
Meetings are to be conducted with respect to all those present. Any inappropriate conduct will be dealt with in a fair manner.
Section 5: Facilities
All official meetings and official events requiring attendance in facilities and establishments must allow persons of any age entry.
Section 1: Committees
Committees may be formed at anytime during the year at the discretion of the executive board. Each committee will be appointed a chairperson and will be open to any who wish to attend committee meetings. Committee votes may only be made by voting members. Committees expire at the end of the term.
Clause A: Committees have the right to introduce bylaws of the organization and vote on them as a committee. These bylaws will be adopted after a majority vote from voting members. Bylaws expire at the end of the term in which they were introduced. The organization may amend the constitution with the bylaw with a vote of majority from voting members at the end of the term.
Clause B: A bylaw deemed unnecessary by the President may be vetoed and returned to the voting members with the intended alterations. A veto may be overturned by the voting members with a 2/3 vote. A veto and final vote shall occur in sequential business meetings for purposes of caucusing.