OUCD | Constitution

The Constitution of the
Ohio University College Democrats

ARTICLE I: NAME
SECTION 1
The name of this organization shall be Ohio University College Democrats, hereafter referred to as OUCD.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
SECTION 1
The purpose of this organization shall be to help spread Democratic ideals through electing Democrats to public office and raising student awareness on key Democratic issues on campus.
SECTION 2
The objectives and purposes of the OUCD shall be
A) To assist in local, state, and national campaigns
B) To encourage student involvement in the affairs of the community
C) To provide an open forum for the exchange of ideas by increased dialogue on social issues

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1
The organization and its members shall not discriminate against any individuals for reasons of sexual identity, ethnicity, creed or sexual orientation. Membership in this group shall be open to all Ohio University students.
SECTION 2
Official membership shall be granted to current students of Ohio University upon fulfillment of at least two o f the following conditions in a given series of 3 consecutive quarters with the last quarter being the current one. Summer quarter does not count towards the series of three quarters but will be credited towards fall quarter membership requirements:
1) Attendance of 8 OUCD activities, at least 3 of which must be meetings
2) Payment of dues set by the treasurer and approved by the majority of the general body
3) A letter petitioning the executive board and its subsequent majority approval
SECTION 3
Full membership status is required to vote in any election, and on resolutions, dues, and constitutional amendments. SECTION 4 “Approval of the general body” shall be defined as a majority vote of the official OUCD members who are present at tim e of voting, unless otherwise specified in this constitution.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS
SECTION 1
The Executive Board shall be the governing body of the OUCD. The Board shall meet (at minimum) twice a month. Decisions made by the Executive Board must be approved by the major ity of the Board regardless of number present.
SECTION 2
The Executive Board shall consist of:
A) President B) Vice President C) Treasurer
D) Secretary E) Membership Director F) Communications Director
SECTION 3
The responsibilities of each of the Executive Board members are as follows:
A) President: To lead the organization and Executive Board; to act as a liaison to other organizations and candidates running for office; to act as a liaison to the university; to be responsible for a weekly report at each meeting; and to fulfill the duties of the other Executive Board members when these members are not available.
B) Vice President: To fulfill duties when the President is not available; to organize the group from within; to organ ize internal group activity such as social events; to fulfill the duties delegated by the President; and to oversee the transition period.
C) Treasurer: To act as the bookkeeper for the organization; to head the Fundraising Committee; to act as the liaison to SAC; to give quarterly treasurer’s reports; to set dues for the approval of the general body; and collect dues with the general body’s majo rity approval.
D) Secretary: To take minutes at each meeting; to take minutes at each Executive meeting; to distribute minutes to the members of the organization upon request; to keep a record of the constitution, minutes, and other official documents; to send out weekly events schedule; and to nominate the historian, to be approved by the Executive Board.
E) Membership Director: To take attendance at all meetings; to keep records of the attendance and official membership status; to spearhead membership recruitment and retention; to act as a liaison between members and the Executive Board; and to facilitate meetings
F) Communications Director: To ensure the regular drafting and distribution of all press releases; to appoint and oversee a Communication Committee; to act as the official liaison to the press; to publicize ev ents; to nominate webmaster to be approved by the Executive Board.
SECTION 3.2
All officers must attend at least two executive board meetings in a four-week period.
SECTION 3.3
All executive board meetings must be announced 24 hours prior to the meeting.
SECTION 3.4
The executive board will declare official medium or medi a to communicate decisions of the executive board to the general body during the first week of every quarter; Any and all approved media are subject to change upon approval of a majority of the executive board.
SECTION 4
The qualification for Executive Board candidacy is to be considered an official member for two (2) consecutive quarters.
SECTION 5
The term of each office begins at the last meeting of Spring Quarter.
SECTION 6
Should an officer’s position become vacant during his or her term, a midterm election will be held at the first available time.
SECTION 7
Extended absences approved by the Executive Board shall be filled by an appointment by the current office holder and approved by the general body.
SECT ION 8
The general body may move to impeach an officer via a signed petition outlining reasons for impeachment and containing the signatures of no fewer than 15% of the official membership with a minimum of five (5) signatures of official members. The general body will then vote on impeachment. If impeachment proceedings are successful the impeached officer will defend himself or herself at the next meeting of the general body whereupon the general body will vote on removal from office, which requires a two-thirds (2/3) majority of members who are present.
SECTION 9
A majority of the Executive Board can decide to impeach an officer at an Executive Board meeting. That officer’s defense and the Executive Board’s charges will be presented at the next general body meeting, whereupon the general body will vote on removal from office, which requires two-thirds (2/3) of membership present.
SECTION 10
Officer nominations will be held at the general body meeting of the eighth (8) week of Winter Quarter and no further nominating, accepting, or declining candidacy can occur once this meeting has adjourned. If a potential candidate or nominator’s absence has been pre-approved by t he executive board that person may accept, decline, or nominate at the general body meeting of the eighth (8) weeks by proxy. Officer elections will be held the ninth (9) week of Winter Quarter.
SECTION 11
Elections are to be overseen by the organization advisor and a member of the Executive Board not running for office. If no member of the Executive Board is not running for office, then the Exec utive Board shall appoint an election observer.
SECTION 12
On the day of elections each candidate and his or her nominating party shall be given time to speak on the candidate’s behalf. The nominating party may yield his or her speaking time to the candidate.

ARTICLE V: ADVISOR
SECTION 1
Our organization advisor must be a member of the faculty, administration, or staff of Ohio University.
SECTION 2
The duties and responsibilities of the advisor shall be to oversee the actions of the group and give advice when he or she feels it is necessary or when it is requested of him or her.
SECTION 3
Should the position of the advisor be come vacant during the year, the Executive Board will seek a new advisor. This advisor must be approved by a majority of the general body.

ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS
SECTION 1
Regular meetings of the organization shall be held weekly.
SECTION 2
Special meetings of the organi zation shall be held when necessary. The President or any other member of the Executive Board may call a special meeting at any time.

ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1
This constitution shall be amended by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) majority of the membership at any regular or special meeting.
SECTION 2
Provision for advance notice of amendment shall be made by any member. Proposed amendments will be voted upon one week after they are proposed.

ARTICLE VIII: RESOLUTIONS
SECTION 1
Resolutions shall be approved by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) majority of the member s present at any regular or special meeting.
SECTION 2
Provision for advance notice of resolution shall be made by any member. Proposed resolutions will be voted upon one week after they are proposed.