College Democrats at Syracuse University

Constitution

Preamble

We the student Democrats of Syracuse University in order to forward the progressive agenda, promote a new generation of political activists, and win elections for the Democratic Party do ordain and establish this Constitution for the College Democrats at Syracuse University.

Article I: Membership

Section 1: Membership shall include all Syracuse University and State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry students who have enrolled as recognized volunteers for College Democrats at Syracuse University.
Section 2: Members have the exclusive privileged of voting in elections for club officers or referenda.
Section 3: Expulsion
Section 4: General membership meetings shall be held weekly on a schedule determined by the Executive Committee based on a schedule convenient to the general membership.

Article II. Leadership of College Democrats at Syracuse University

Section 1. Executive Committee

A. Election

1. The four offices that make up the Executive Committee shall each be elected at large by the general membership of College Democrats at Syracuse University. The offices shall be Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Representative to New York College Democrats.
2. Any enrolled undergraduate student at Syracuse University or SUNY ESF may run for one of the four offices of the Executive Committee. Candidates must hold a cumulative GPA of 2.5 and have no violations of university policy on record with the Office of Judicial Affairs by the date of filing. Candidates cannot seek election for more than one office, and once elected officers may only hold one office. Current office holders may run for another office for a future term.
3. Candidates for office must formally declare their candidacy by the last Tuesday in March. Voting will begin the second Tuesday of April at 8:00PM and cease at 8:00PM the following Thursday.
4. The terms for each office shall begin the third Tuesday of April and shall last one year.

B. Duties and Responsibilities

1. Chair

a. Serves as the official representative of the club to university organizations.
b. Oversees all functions of the club.
c. Serves as the official spokesperson for the club to outside parties.

2. Vice Chair

a. Assists the Chair in all of the aforementioned duties and responsibilities.
b. Succeeds the Chair in the event the office of Chair becomes vacant.

3. Secretary

a. Keeps minutes of all meetings and distributes them to the membership.

4. State Representative

a. Represents College Democrats at Syracuse University to all functions of New York State College Democrats.

5. The Executive Committee

a. Determine at the beginning of the spring semester whether the number of Dorm Districts needs to be increased due to increased student enrollment, construction of dorms, and/or other factors. Proposed increases to the number of Dorm Districts must be approved by the general membership via referendum by the end of the spring semester, and if passed shall take effect at the beginning of the next academic year. The minimum number of main campus Dorm Districts is five.

C. Impeachment
D. Vacancies

Section 2. Dorm District Council

A. Election

1. The Dorm District Council shall be composed of one Captain from each designated dorm district. The Captains shall be elected from their districts by the members of their district.
2. Any enrolled undergraduate student at Syracuse University or SUNY ESF may run for Dorm District Captain of their district. Candidates must hold a cumulative GPA of 2.5 and have no violations of university policy on record with the Office of Judicial Affairs by the date of filing. Dorm District Captains that are elected to the Executive Committee in the general election in the spring semester may hold both offices until the term of Dorm District Captain expires. Current members of the Executive Committee cannot seek a position on the Dorm District Council. 3. Candidates for Dorm District Captain must formally declare their candidacy by the Tuesday before the first day of classes of the academic year. Voting will begin the second Tuesday of the academic year at 8:00PM and cease at 8:00PM the following Thursday. Members may only vote for the Dorm District Captain that represents the district where they live.
4. The terms for each Captain shall begin immediately after the election results are tabulated and made public. Terms for the Dorm District Council expire at the end of the following year.

B. Duties and Responsibilities

1. Dorm District Captains

a. Responsible for volunteer and field activities in their district.
b. Build a thorough and accurate voter file for their district.
c. Responsible for distribution of club material in their district.
d. Maintain contact and camaraderie with volunteers in their district.

2. Dorm District Council

a. Responsible for scheduling canvassing events on campus.

C. Impeachment
D. Vacancies

Article III. By-laws

Section 1. Bylaws

A. The laws set in this constitution shall supersede all others passed by the organization.
B. The club may enact its own procedures for situations not specified in this document.

Section 2. Statement of Non-Discrimination

Members, Executive Officers, and the Dorm District Council have the right not to be discriminated against by any other member, Executive Officer, and/or members of the Dorm District Council for reasons of age, creed, ethnic or normal origin, gender, disability, marital status, political or social affiliation, race, religion, or sexual orientation. This policy will include but not be limited to, recruiting, membership organization activities, or opportunities to hold office.

Section 3. Not-for-profit-statement

This is a non-profit organization.

Article IV. Amendments and Ratification

Section 1. Amendments