Constitution
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 Tennessee Federation of College Democrats.
Article 1: Name and Purpose
A. Name: The name of this organization shall be the Tennessee Federation of College Democrats, hereafter referred to in this document as the �College Democrats�.
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.
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 in Tennessee 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, disability, socioeconomic status, or sexual orientation.
Article 3: The Executive Board
A: Composition: The Executive Board shall be composed of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Director, Communications Director, Political Affairs Director, Programs Director, and Minority Affairs Director. All positions will be elected once yearly at the General Elections.
B. The Executive Board shall determine the agenda and policy of the College Democrats and coordinate all activities and events.
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:
1. The President shall attend and preside over meetings of the Executive Board;
2. Be responsible for determining the goals and direction of the College Democrats;
3. Appoint any ex-officio, non voting members of the Executive Board with majority approval from the remaining officers;
4. Attend all Tennessee Democratic Party Executive Committee meetings;
5. Oversee financial business and affairs of the College Democrats; and
6. Attend National College Democrat Convention or appoint another office to attend in place of.
C: Duties of the Vice President:
1. The Vice President shall attend Executive Board meetings,
2. Assist in determining the goals and direction of the organization and be responsible for the implementation of the goals of the College Democrats as set by the Executive Board;
3. Replace President in vacancy;
4. Perform administrative duties and hold other members accountable for their position; and
5. Be an ex-officio member of all committees.
6. Serve as Chair of the State Federation Council
D: Duties of the Secretary:
1. The Secretary shall attend Executive Board meetings;
2. Assist in determining the goals and direction of the organization;
3. Keep minutes of all meetings and conference calls;
4. Keep historical records such as constitution, mission statement, and all other written records;
5. Organize and maintain all written records; and
6. Assist other officers with specific duties upon request.
E: Duties of the Treasurer:
1. The Treasurer shall attend Executive Board meetings;
2. Keep detailed records of all funds;
3. Develop fundraising ideas;
4. Submit a general budget for approval by the Executive Board;
5. Submit quarterly reports on the status of the College Democrats treasury;
6. Pay fixed costs and maintenance fees, with other expenditures being approved by the Executive Board;
7. Keep records of donors;
8. Advise local chapters on fundraising ideas and management of funds;
9. Assist in determining the goals and direction of the organization; and
10. Be responsible for the implementation of the fundraising goals of the College Democrats as set by the Executive Board.
F: Duties of the Student Director of Membership:
1. The Student Director of Membership shall attend Executive Board meetings;
2. Assist in determining the goals and direction of the organization;
3. Be responsible for the implementation of the membership goals of the College Democrats as set by the Executive Board;
4. Keep in regular contact with local chapters and their Presidents�;
5. Initiate and oversee local chapter recruitment and outreach efforts;
6. Advise local chapters on membership and recruitment methods and ideas; and
7. Work closely with new chapters.
G: Duties of the Student Director for Communications:
1. The Student Director of Communications shall attend Executive Board meetings;
2. Assist in determining the goals and direction of the organization;
3. Be responsible for the implementation of the communications goals of the College Democrats as set by the Executive Board;
4. Perform public relations duties; such responsibilities will be dependent upon the current makeup and goal of the Executive Board.
H: Duties of the Student Director of Political Affairs:
1. The Student Director of Political Affairs shall attend Executive Board meetings;
2. Assist in determining the goals and direction of the organization;
3. Be responsible for the implementation of the political goals of the College Democrats as set by the Executive Board.
I: Duties of the Student Director of Programs:
1. The Student Director of Programs shall attend Executive Board meetings;
2. Organize logistical aspects of all events;
3. Designate specific responsibilities involved in the organization of all events and oversee the completion of those tasks;
4. Research travel details for College Democrat trips inside and outside of the state;
5. Assist in determining the goals and direction of the organization; and
6. Be responsible for the implementation of the programming goals of the College Democrats, as set by the Executive Board.
J: Duties of Student Director of Minority Affairs:
1. Assist in determining the goals and direction of the organization;
2. Generate ideas for minority recruitment efforts;
3. Organize and develop minority caucuses;
4. Keep up with current topics associated with minority affairs and raise awareness among the Executive Board and local chapters;
5. Ensure compliance of nondiscriminatory practices; and
6. Suggest programs for minority awareness.
Article 5: Voting Procedures
A: Nominations: Proxies may be allowed with a submitted notification to the President two (2) weeks prior to the election meeting. Notification of the date of elections will be publicized at least two months in advance. Candidates must meet general membership qualifications. Candidates can self-nominate, but must be seconded; there can be a motion to oppose the nomination. Candidates for president and vice president will each be allotted five minutes for a speech, followed by five minutes for a question-and-answer session. Candidates for all other positions will each be allotted three minutes for a speech, followed by five minutes for a question-and-answer session.
B: Voting: Every school present will be allowed one vote; however, each school must submit a membership roster to the Membership Director two (2) weeks prior to the meeting to participate in voting. The Director of Membership will chair/oversee elections, except in the occurrence of his or her own race for reelection, in which case the president will chair that portion of the election. A candidate must receive 50% plus 1 of the vote to win. In case of a tie, each member of the Executive Board casts a vote to break the tie, with 2/3 majority declaring the winner.
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, or as ineligibility for Executive Board membership pursuant to Article 2. Cause for removal shall also include grounds found by 3/4 members of the Executive Board to constitute good and sufficient cause.
B: Process for removal: To begin the process for removal, another member of the Executive Board must charge the officer with the reasons for his or her removal publicly at a meeting of the Executive Board. The officer in question must be offered an opportunity to defend himself or herself at that meeting. After a period of two weeks the issue shall be put to a vote. Three-fourths members of the Executive Board must vote for removal for an officer to be removed.
Article 7: Vacancies
A: Declaration of vacancy: If the vacancy occurs in an Executive Board position other than the President, the President shall appoint a successor with majority consent of the remaining Executive Board. If the vacancy is the President, then the Vice-President shall automatically be the replacement.
Article 8: Amendments
A: Procedure: The Constitution can be amended by a 2/3 majority vote of the Executive Board and by a majority of voting chapter presidents. Amendments must be proposed to both the Executive Board and chapter presidents at least one week prior to voting.
Article 9: State Federation Council
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Section I. Definition: The purpose of the State Federation Council shall be to provide a voice for Chapters, to maintain communication between the chapters and the Executive Board, and the grassroots organizing within the organization. The chair of the council will be Vice President of the Tennessee Federation of College Democrats
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Section II. Purpose: The State Federation Council members shall make themselves available to the Executive Board for advice and shall have a right to cast an advisory vote. The State Federation Council can provide an advisory opinion to the Executive Board by a 2/3 vote. The Executive Board shall seek input and direction from the State Federation Council so that council can advise the TFCD agenda and goals.
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Section III. Membership: The membership of the State Federation Council shall include all State Federation officers, Regional Directors, and the Presidents or designated representatives from the various chapters.
