CDWA’s Constitution
Preamble
In order to promote a better America, with equality, opportunity, and freedom within a just and strong society, we dedicate ourselves to organizing the participation of Democratic students at Washington colleges and universities. In this mission, we call for full participation of all Democratic students, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, physical handicap, socioeconomic status, or sexual orientation. We seek greater cooperation and closer ties with the College Democrats of America, The Young Democrats of Washington, and the Washington Democratic Party. Understanding the importance of participation in the Democratic Party to the preservation of our values and principles, we, Democratic college students, do hereby associate ourselves and adopt this Constitution as the College Democrats of Washington.
Article 1: Name and Purpose
A: Name: The name of this organization shall be the College Democrats of Washington, hereafter referred to in this document as the “College Democrats” or CDWA.
B: Purpose: The College Democrats pledges itself to support the philosophy and candidates of the Democratic Party. Furthermore, the College Democrats declares its intention to support all efforts to increase the participation of college students in Democratic affairs. To these ends, the College Democrats shall educate and train its members so that they may be better able to: 1. Educate students about the philosophy of the Democratic Party. 2. Assist in the election of local, state, and national Democratic candidates; Especially candidates who are current or former Young Democrat members themselves. 3. Affect political change on the local, state, and national level.
Article 2: Membership
A: Members: Membership in the College Democrats shall be open to any college student currently enrolled in a Washington college or university who wishes to be known as a College Democrat and who has the best interests of the College Democrats and the Democratic Party at heart, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, physical handicap, socioeconomic status, or sexual orientation.
B: Voting: Those eligible to vote must all be in good standing with a Young Democrats chapter in Washington and must be a student at a college or university in Washington. Dues or what determines a member to be in good standing shall be established on a chapter-by-chapter basis. Washington College Students who wish to be a voting member of CDWA without affiliation with a Young Democrats chapter may be approved by the CDWA Executive board on a case by case basis.
Article 3: The Executive Board
A: Composition: A: Composition: The Executive Board shall be composed of a President, Vice President, two National Councilmembers, and the chapter chairs of every CDWA chapter. The President shall have the power to create and disband additional appointed Executive Board positions not listed in this Constitution as needed. These additional positions may be removed by a vote of no confidence carried by a majority of chapter chairs or a vote of two thirds of good standing members.
B: If the members of the Executive Board of Young Democrats of Washington are enrolled in a college or university, they may have the choice of representing Washington on the board of College Democrats. This must be decided at the annual convention and must be approved by a majority of the present members of the College Democrats of Washington.
C: The President and Vice President shall determine the agenda and policy of the College Democrats and coordinate all activities and events. This shall be done. in communication with a Director of Political Affairs, if that position is occupied.
D: Both the President, Vice President, and National Council members serve one year terms. These terms start the moment they are elected at our annual convention and end when new officers are elected at the following annual convention.
Article 4: Duties of the Executive Board Positions
A: All Executive Board members must maintain active involvement in all of the College Democrats activities and endeavors:
B: Duties of the President. The President shall:1: Be the Chief Executive Officer of the College Democrats; 2: Define the agenda of the College Democrats during their tenure; 3: Act as the official representative of the College Democrats to other groups and the media; 4: Preside over and organize a quarterly meeting of the College Democrats; this meeting does not need to be in person; 5: Provide support, advice, and other resources to individuals wanting to start a new Young Democrat chapter on a college campus or to any member of the College Democrats of Washington. 6: Represent the College Democrats of Washington on the YDWA General Board; 7: Serve on the CDA National Council as a representative of Washington State; 8: Fundraise and maintain a bank account for the College Democrats of Washington; 9: Provide financial reports, that include all expenditures and contributions, for the bank account with quarterly reports to all College Chapter Chairs; 10: Authorize all financial transactions on behalf of CDWA.
C: Duties of the Vice President. The Vice President shall: 1: Assist the President in the performance of their duties; including brainstorming ideas and evaluating the progress of the Executive Board and organization as a whole; 2: Act as President when the President is unable to perform their duties; 3: Assume the office of the President upon the President’s death, resignation, removal, or inability to perform duties; 4: Take on additional projects in coordination with the President; 5: Serve on the CDA National Council as a representative of Washington State.
D: Duties of the National Council members. The National Council members shall: 1. Participate in all regularly scheduled conference calls of the College Democrats of America; 2. Make an attempt to attend the National Convention of the College Democrats of America; 3. Have voting power in all CDA National Council meetings that they are a participant in.
Article 5: Elections
A: The College Democrats shall hold a yearly convention, which will coincide with the convention held by the Young Democrats of Washington. Elections will be held at this convention. Elections are not limited to the convention, and may take place virtually through the year as needed.
B: Eligibility to run for a position and vote: Those eligible to run for an elected Executive Board position must be eligible to vote in CDWA as defined in Article 2.B.
C: One vote per person.
D: In Person Procedure: Candidates are nominated directly before their election, however, they do not need to be present at the convention in order to be nominated and to be elected to office. Candidates may give a speech to support their candidacy. 1. Speech length: Pres. - 4min; VP - 3min; Other - 2min. 2. Q & A: Pres. - 7min; Other - 5min. 3. Supporting speakers: Pres. - 5; Other - 3. Each supporting speaker has 45 seconds to support their candidate. Order of speakers will alternate among candidates. They are forbidden to make any derogatory statements about any candidate. Candidates are prohibited from the election room during the time of supporting statements. Secret ballots shall be used. 4. Vote counting and declaration of winner will occur directly after that election.
E: Virtual Procedure: Virtual Procedure shall follow in person procedure as closely as is reasonably possible while still maintaining accessibility and feasibility.
F: In the case of a tie between two candidates for President of the Executive Board, a revote will occur. If the revote still results in a tie, the two candidates will have an unbiased third party flip a coin to determine who will be President. The losing candidate will be the Vice President.
Article 6: Removal
A: Cause for removal: Cause for removal shall be defined as malfeasance or nonfeasance of duties assigned by the Executive Board or delineated within this document, being in violation of the Young Democrats of Washington Code of Conduct or constitution, or as ineligibility for Executive Board membership pursuant to Article 2. Cause for removal shall also include grounds found by 3/4 voting members of the College Democrats of Washington to constitute good and sufficient cause.
B: Process for removal: To begin the process for removal, another member of the College Democrats of Washington must charge the officer with the reasons for their removal using a form of communication that is sent to every chapter chair and executive board member of the College Democrats of Washington. The officer in question must be offered an opportunity to defend them or themselves at a meeting or an equal form of online, mobile, or other form of communication. After a period of two weeks the issue shall be put to a vote. Three-fourths of the voting members of the College Democrats of Washington must vote for removal for an officer to be removed.
Article 7: Vacancies
A: Declaration of vacancy: A vacancy shall be declared when a member of the Executive Board dies, resigns, or is removed from office. If the vacancy occurs in an Executive Board position other than the President, the President shall appoint a successor with a 2/3-majority consent of the remaining Executive Board. If the vacancy is the President, then the Vice-President shall automatically be the replacement.
Article 8: Endorsements
A: CDWA's endorsements shall mirror the endorsements of the Young Democrats of Washington, unless an alternative candidate, referendum, or initiative shall be supported by majority of the College Democrats Executive Board. Individual chapters are allowed to endorse candidates, causes, initiatives, and referenda separately of CDWA.
Article 9: Amendments
A: Procedure: The Constitution can be amended by a 2/3-majority of the voting members of the College Democrats of Washington present at the vote. This vote does not need to occur at a convention. Amendments shall be announced at least 2 weeks prior to a meeting where they may be voted on.
Article 10: Parliamentary Authority
A: The latest revision of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the meetings of the College Democrats of Washington and Executive Board where applicable and when not in conflict with these bylaws.