Our Constitution

Constitution of the College Democrats of Colgate University

 

ARTICLE I:  NAME

 

            The name of the organization will be the College Democrats of Colgate University

 

ARTICLE II:  PURPOSE

 

            The purpose of the College Democrats of Colgate University is to stimulate student political thought and active interest in governmental affairs, to support and promote the ideals and principles of the Democratic Party of the United States, and to foster a diversity of ideas on campus through open debates, speakers, and social activities.

 

ARTICLE III:   MEMBERSHIP

 

            Membership in the College Democrats of Colgate University is open to any student in good standing with the Student Association, the University, and the General Community at large.

            Participating members are those members who attend meetings of the College Democrats of Colgate University or make known their desire to participate despite an inability to attend meetings.

 

ARTICLE IV:  OFFICERS

 

            Section I: The executive board of the organization shall consist of: President, Vice President, Treasurer/Secretary, and the Chairpersons of any committees which the group forms.  In the event of insufficient attendance and numbers of participating membership, it is permissible for an individual to serve in multiple roles and thereby to reduce the number of officers.

 

            Section II: The responsibilities of the officers shall include, but not be limited to:

 

            President: General oversight of all organizational activities; allocating responsibilities for planning activities; setting the agenda for, and acting as chair of, all meetings.

 

            Vice President: Any and all of the presidentŐs duties in his/her absence; all extra-organizational communication; carrying out the requests of the president where he/she has determined them to be in the best interests of the organization.

 

            Treasurer/Secretary: Drawing up of the organizationŐs budget in accordance with the interest and desires of the membership, and in accordance with established Student Association rules; maintaining accurate records of cash flows during the course of the semester; keeping the minutes at meetings; informing the membership of the dates & times of meetings.

 

ARTICLE V:   COMMITTEES

 

            Section I:

 

            An ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE shall be formed to schedule the organizationŐs activities.  The committee shall be responsible for aspects of activities (i.e., arranging for speakers, reserving rooms, etc.), and shall work with the Publicity Committee to advertise events to the community.  The chair of the Activities Committee shall work with and report to the President of the group.

 

            Section II:

 

            A PUBLICITY COMMITTEE shall be formed to make the Colgate community aware of the organizationŐs activities.  The committee shall be responsible for printing and posting signs, informing the various news media of events, and all other aspects of event publicity.  The chair of this committee shall work with and report to the Vice President of the group.

 

            Section III:

 

            Should there be insufficient numbers of participating members, these functions may, of necessity, be served by the participating members at large rather than establishing separate committees.

 

ARTICLE VI:   ELECTIONS

 

            All officers of the College Democrats of Colgate University shall be elected by a simple majority of the membership present at the meeting when elections are held.  Whenever a position is vacated, a special election shall be called within three weeks of the vacancy to fill the vacancy.  The elected term of all officers shall be two terms.  All officers must uphold and enforce regulations of this constitution.

 

ARTICLE VII:  NON-DISCRIMINATION

 

            The College Democrats of Colgate University shall not discriminate, nor by its actions encourage discrimination, on the basis of sex, race, creed, national origin, or physical disability.

 

ARTICLE VIII:    AMENDMENTS

 

            Amendments to this constitution shall be adopted by a 2/3 affirmative vote of participating members present when the question is called.  The entire membership of the group must be notified of proposed amendments at least 48 hours before the question is called to ensure a fair chance for all members to vote on all amendments.

 

ARTICLE IX:   DATE OF IMPLEMENTATION

 

            This constitution shall be valid and in effect as of March 9, 2003.