Currently the Executive Board is in the process of amending significant portions of the constitution.

College Democrats at Indiana University Constitution

Preamble
We, the College Democrats at Indiana University, dedicate ourselves to promoting the principles of the Democratic Party of the United States, the ideals of equality, justice, fairness, and an effective government. We resolve to support and promote increased participation among college students in the electoral and political process. 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 his Constitution.

Article I: General Provisions

Section 1: Name

This organization shall be called the College Democrats at Indiana University (hereafter “College Democrats”).

Section 2: Chartering

The College Democrats shall maintain chapter status with the College Democrats of America and any other suitable parent organization defined in the bylaws.

Section 4: Membership

1. Membership shall be open to any student currently enrolled in one or more credit hours at Indiana University – Bloomington who wishes to be known as a College Democrat regardless of sex, race, ethnic origin, religion, physical handicap, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, national origin, or gender identity; and retain said membership for the duration of their student status at Indiana University – Bloomington.
2. The bylaws shall define good standing. Members who are in good standing shall be conveyed voting and candidacy rights by this constitution.
3. The ability to participate in events and meetings held by or sponsored by the College Democrats shall not be dependent on a member’s standing.

Section 5: Bylaws

Bylaws shall be established and maintained by the College Democrats for the purpose of governing the actions and policies of the organization. The bylaws are superseded by this constitution and are subject to the provisions set forth in it. The executive board, acting in a majority and subject to the provisions set forth in this constitution, may alter the bylaws during any meeting of the executive board while in session.

Section 6: Amendment

1. Any member of the executive board may propose an amendment to the constitution of the College Democrats during a meeting of the executive board while it is in session. The amendment shall pass with a 2/3-majority vote by the executive board. If the amendment fails to receive a 2/3-majority vote, that amendment shall be tabled for a minimum of one week before it is able to be returned for a vote.
2. The constitution, having been newly amended and signed, shall replace all prior forms of the constitution as set forth in Article I, Section 7.
3. Prior forms of the constitution, if in existence and if having not already been archived, shall be either archived or destroyed. The process of archival shall be described in the bylaws of this Constitution.

Section 7: Preservation
The constitution shall be kept current by the secretary in three forms at all times.

1. In the records storage space of the office of the College Democrats.
2. Stored on a computer storage device remotely and locally.
3. Publicly displayed on the Internet.

Article II: Officers

Section 1: Executive Board

The governing body of the College Democrats shall be the executive board. The executive board shall have general authority over the actions of the College Democrats. The executive board shall consist of a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and three additional members.

Section 2: Term of Office for Executive Board Members

1. Having been elected duly, the term of office of the president and each additional member of the executive board shall begin on November 26, and shall last for exactly one year.
2. The term of the office holder who has been elected to fill a vacancy shall end on November 26.

Section 3: Vacancies on the Executive Board

A vacancy shall be declared when a member of the executive board dies, resigns in writing, or is removed from office. If the vacancy occurs in an executive board position other than president, the President shall call a special election to fill the vacancy within two weeks of the effective date of vacancy.

Section 4: Vacancy in the Office of President

In the event of a vacancy in the office of the president, the Vice President shall immediately assume the office of president.

1. The President, newly instated, shall appoint a vice president from among the members of the executive board.
2. In the event that a member refuses, in writing, to vacate their position to assume the position of vice president, an election among executive board members shall decide the new vice president.
3. A special election to fill the seat vacated by the new vice president shall be held no more than three weeks after such vacancy has occurred.

—————— Below sections being reviewed for amendment ———————-

Section 6: Removal of Executive Board Members Generally

1. Any member of the executive board including the president and vice-president can be removed under this section. Any removal requires a 2/3 majority vote by the executive board to remove any executive board member, including the president and vice presidents. This section may be invoked only under extreme conditions.
2. The faculty advisor may remove any executive board member or members who have been charged with a felony, found guilty of serious disciplinary offense by campus authorities, demonstrated extreme disloyalty to College Democrats, or seriously abused their authority as officers of College Democrats.

Amendment Proposed: Section 7: Removal of Executive Board Members
Any executive board member, having submitted a written request to the secretary of the executive board no later than one week in advance of a scheduled executive board meeting, may without prejudice add a vote of impeachment to that meeting’s agenda.

1. While an executive board meeting, having had an impeachment vote scheduled, is in session, any member may motion to bring a vote to impeach an officer of the executive board.
2. The member to be removed must abstain from the vote to impeach and the procedural votes associated with it.
3. The member shall only be removed from office by a 2/3-majority vote of members.
4. A member shall be impeached if they have been duly removed from office and have been charged with a felony, found guilty of serious disciplinary offense by campus authorities, demonstrated extreme disloyalty to College Democrats, or seriously abused their authority as an officer of the College Democrats

Amendment Proposed: Section 8: Special Removal

1. The faculty advisor may remove any executive board member or members who have been charged with a felony, found guilty of serious disciplinary offense by campus authorities, demonstrated extreme disloyalty to College Democrats, or seriously abused their authority as an officer of the College Democrats. This action may only be overridden by a unanimous vote of the executive board.
2. A vote of impeachment shall be automatically added to the agenda of the executive board meeting immediately following any executive board member’s third consecutive absence from executive board meetings.

Section 8: President

1. Be the Chief executive officer of the College Democrats at IU.

2. Act as the official representative to other groups and the media.

3. Define the agenda of the organization.

4. Carry out the mandates, policies, and directives of the executive board.

5. Appoint, after appropriate consultation with and subject to the consideration of the executive board at any subsequent meeting to such an appointment, standing and ad hoc committees and directors of such committees as he or she sees fit.

6. Preside over official meetings.

7. Appoint with the consent of the executive board such officers as may be necessary to the functioning of College Democrats at IU and delegate to these officers any of the duties or powers as is necessary.

8. Delegate to the vice-president, any of the duties or powers of the presidency as he may see fit. These delegated duties and powers may be revoked at any time.

Section 9: Vice President

1. Be the chief administrative officer of the College Democrats at IU.

2. Assume the administrative duties of the president in the absence of the president.

3. Serve as interim president in the event of vacancy or extended absence of the president. All powers of the presidency (excluding financial matters and control of the bank account) shall be conveyed to the administrative vice-president during this period.

4. Chair the executive board in the absence of the president.

5. Supervise the performance of all appointed officers, excluding the President, by regularly monitoring progress reports and holding performance review meetings.

6. Serve as the President’s advisor on the efficiency of projects and group management.

Section 10: Treasurer

1. Be the chief financial officer of College Democrats at IU.

2. Assume the financial duties of the president I the absence of the president.

3. Control expenditures of College Democrats at IU.

4. Compile and deliver the monthly financial report.

5. Maintain the financial record of the College Democrats at IU.

6. Oversee and implement fund-raising.

7. Perform such duties as the executive board or president may assign.

Section 11: Secretary

1. Serve as the clerk of the executive board.

2. Maintain the official record of the executive board of the College Democrats at IU, recording votes, minutes of meetings, and motions and acts.

3. Submit a handwritten, hardcopy of minutes to the Vice President and upload minutes to the website on a weekly basis.

4. Maintain the official directory of contacts for the College Democrats at IU.

5. Maintain the organization’s listserv, collect any membership forms, and oversee membership status.

6. Assume the duties of Vice President in his/her absence.

Section 12: Communications Director

1. Maintain and oversee the promotion of the College Democrats at IU through the use of the group’s social media and email accounts as well as maintain communication to group members.

2. Manage Facebook, Youtube, Flickr, Twitter, myInvolvement and any additional social media accounts.

3. Write and send out a weekly email to the group listserv, as well as any emails when directed by the President.

4. Manage press relations, including writing regular editorials and press releases.

Section 13: Political Affairs Director

1. Keep current with Democratic Party policy and political goals as well as local, state, and national political developments that have or may have a direct effect on group operations.

2. Keep the executive board and general membership informed of political developments.

3. Assist the president in developing the executing the political agenda of College Democrats at IU.

4. Coordinate public debates and forums, as well as be able to inform the public of policy issues.

Section 14: Outreach Director

1. Work to develop and maintain good relations with student groups and community organizations.

2. Plan and direct social events for the benefit of general members.

3. Plan and direct social events in coordination with other student groups.

4. Work to coordinate events taking place in the Bloomington community.

5. Coordinate efforts to advertise College Democrats at IU’s events and meetings through chalking, distribution of fliers and any other means directed by the executive board or President.

Article III: Procedures

Section 1: Executive Board Meetings

The executive board shall meet once per week when school is in session, unless the president gives prior notice. Such meetings shall be scheduled and advertised at the beginning of the semester and shall constitute the regular weekly meetings of the dates, times and locations of executive board executive board. The administrative vice-president is charged with creating a meeting schedule listing the meetings at least a month in advance.

Amendment Proposed: The executive board shall meet once per week while school is in session, unless the president gives prior notice. The president shall establish a day and time to hold executive board meetings at the beginning of their term. The president shall give deference toward the day and time chosen by the most recent previous executive board. The meeting day and time chosen shall be regular, consistent, and shall not be changed unless by a 5/7 vote of the executive board.

Section 2: Quorum
(a) A quorum of the executive board shall be noted when a minimum of 5 executive board members are present. If quorum is not met, no meeting can take place.
(b) If there are 2 or more vacancies on the executive board than both quorum requirements shall be reduced by 1.
(c) If there are 4 or more vacancies on the executive board than both quorum requirements shall be reduced by 2.

Amendment Proposed:

1. A quorum of the executive board shall be noted when a minimum of 5 executive board members are present. If quorum is not met, an executive board meeting cannot take place.
2. Vacant positions shall be considered present when considering whether a quorum is met.

Section 3: Executive Board Clerk

The secretary of the executive board shall record all minutes and votes and act as parliamentarian during executive board meetings. If the secretary is absent, a designated deputy shall serve as recording officer. If no designated deputy is present then the chairman shall designate a present member in good standing or executive board member to serve as recording officer for the meeting.

Section 4: Executive Board Meeting Chairman

The president shall serve as executive board chairman when present. The administrative vice-president shall serve as chairman in the president’s absence. In the absence of both officers, the executive board members present shall designate a meeting chairman.

Section 5: Office

The College Democrats at IU shall maintain an office on the campus of Indiana University – Bloomington. Said office shall be accessible to all officers listed under III-7. The president shall see that the office is furnished with a desk within the budgetary constraints of the College Democrats at IU. If in the opinion of the president and with the concurrence of the financial vice-president, the College Democrats at IU are deemed unable to financially support an office, the executive board may waive these requirements

Section 6: Executive Board Record

The official record of the executive board shall be maintained in the office. The record shall be reasonably organized and securely stored. The record shall include all the original meeting notes of the secretary, typed copies of the minutes of each meeting, a copy of the agenda of each meeting, and any other material deemed necessary by the president, secretary or executive board as a whole.

Section 7: Office Codes

1. Office code to the College Democrats at IU office shall be provided to all executive board members.
2. General members should not receive the office code.
3. A current list of office code assignments shall be maintained by the president and administrative vice-president.

Section 8: Election of President, Vice-Presidents and Executive Board

1. The elections for executive board members shall take place in the first week of December, the specific date set by unanimous consent of the executive board members during one of the November executive board meetings. This date shall be promulgated to the members in good standing two weeks before the scheduled election. The president and vice-presidents shall be elected along with the 5 other executive board members in December and shall serve for approximately one year until the next December election.
2. In order to be a candidate for presidency you must have served on a previous College Democrats at IU executive board.
3. Only people who have been a member in good standing for over thirty days shall be eligible to vote or to run for office in the election, candidates may only seek one office. The requirement is waved both for voters and candidates in the event of a special election.
4. In order to run for an office you must be present at the election. In order to run you must be prepared to serve and be present for the entire term.
5. General members who meet stated requirements may present themselves as a write-in candidate for any office other than President. The election overseer will call for floor nominations before conducting the election for each office. A total of five members in good standing must stand to support each nominee in order for him to become a write-in candidate.
6. Election of the President and Vice President: Each candidate for an office will speak to defend his or her candidacy.  Following this the members in good standing who are present will elect a president and each of the vice-presidents in separate races by simple majority.  If in any of these races no candidate receives a majority, a run-off will be held between the top two candidates. The results of these races will be calculated and announced prior to the election of board members; giving all candidates an opportunity to run for an additional position, should they not be elected to the position of president or vice-president.
7. Election of the Executive Board: Each candidate for an office will speak to defend his or her candidacy. Following this the members in good standing who are present will elect a each board member in separate races by simple majority. If in any of these races no candidate receives a majority, a run-off will be held between the top two candidates.
8. The election shall be overseen by someone unaffiliated with the organization or the faculty advisor.
9. All executive board members and appointed officers must compile an envelope with all College Democrats at IU records and property in their possession prior to the election and must submit this envelope to the faculty advisor or designated election overseer prior to the election. This must be done even if the officer is seeking re-election.

Article IV: Finance

Section 1: Bank Account

The College Democrats at IU shall maintain a checking and savings account at a local financial institution in Bloomington, Indiana. The president and financial vice-president shall be the signatories on the account.

Section 2: Debit Card

A debit card shall be given to the financial vice-president. This card shall be kept with the financial vice-president or in a lock box in the College Democrats at IU office at all times. Any purchase over twenty-five ($25) on the debit will be signed off on by both the President and financial vice-president on the monthly financial report and shall require a majority vote of the executive board.

Section 3: Expenditures

Expenditures will require the signature either of the president or financial vice-president to be valid. Expenditures in excess of fifty ($50) shall require a majority vote of the executive board.

Section 4: Reimbursements

Members who make personal expenditures for College Democrats at IU may be reimbursed as a standard expenditure subject to approval by both the president and the financial vice-president. Reimbursement checks to the president or financial vice-president must be signed and approved by the other officer.

Section 5: Event Budgeting

If an upcoming event requires such, the financial vice-president may request an event budget to be created by the president. The event budget will consist of a dollar amount that should not be exceeded in purchasing goods required for the event. The purchases within this budget will not be subject to Sections 2 or 3 of Article IV. If additional funds are required for the event, the president may call a vote to extend the budget. The budget shall be extended if the extension receives a majority vote of the executive board, the president shall set the new amount.

Section 6: Monthly Financial Report

A written monthly financial report shall be complied by the financial vice-president within one week following receipt of the monthly bank statement. The report shall include photocopies of any and all financial statements accumulated during the previous month, a brief written description and explanation of all financial activity taken in the previous month and a statement on the financial status of the College Democrats at IU including foreseeable future expenditures and income. A copy of the report shall be immediately delivered to the president, and a second is to be placed in the official record of the College Democrats at IU.

Section 7: Checkbook

The College Democrats at IU checkbook shall remain in the office except when needed by the president or financial vice-president.

College Democrats at Indiana University By-Laws

Chapter 1: By-Laws and Definitions

1. This document shall constitute the By-Laws of the College Democrats at Indiana University as provided for in 1-5 of the Constitution of the College Democrats at Indiana University.
2. “Constitution” shall refer to the Constitution of the College Democrats at Indiana University. “By-Laws” shall refer to the College Democrats at Indiana University By-Laws. “College Democrats at IU” shall refer to the College Democrats at Indiana University. “Executive board” shall refer to the executive board of the College Democrats at Indiana University.

Chapter 2: Membership

1. Membership shall be granted to all students of Indiana University who express written interest in being a member by emailing College Democrats at IU or signing a membership sheet. Membership shall be granted for duration of one semester following their last contact with College Democrats at IU or until such time as Chapter 2 (b) terminates membership.
2. Members must be a student at Indiana University – Bloomington to be considered a member.
3. Individual members may terminate membership by written request to a member of the Executive Board of the Membership Director.
4. For the purposes of I-4-B of the constitution, membership in good standing shall be granted to all members who attend 2 meetings in a given academic semester.

Chapter 3: Resignation of Officers

1. Resigning officer must submit a written resignation to the President. The officer must at this time turn in all College Democrats at IU keys, records, and property, which are in his or her possession.
2. Resigning officers who do not turn in any College Democrats at IU keys, records, or property within 48 hours shall be referred to the faculty advisor and the Dean of Students’ Office.
3. Officers forced to resign under II-8, II-9, or II-10 of the constitution have 48 hours to submit written resignation. Officers who fail to do so shall be referred to the faculty advisor and the Dean of Students’ Office.

Chapter 4: Executive Board Records

1. Following the Executive Board Meeting, the Secretary shall compile and email to all the members the minutes. The secretary shall then sign and place the original copy of the minutes along with a typed transcription, the meeting agenda, and any other pertinent documents in the executive board minutes file for the current semester.

Chapter 6: Primary Neutrality

1. The College Democrats at IU shall not endorse or participate in the campaigns of any candidate seeking the Democratic nomination in a Primary Election. College Democrats at IU may participate in neutral forums and Democratic events only.
2. Campaign information and invitations for all Democratic candidates shall be forwarded to the membership of College Democrats at IU without bias. Participation in Democratic Primary campaigns by individuals within College Democrats at IU is encouraged and shall be supported, so long as it is understood that they are doing so as individuals and not representatives of College Democrats at IU.
3. The requirements of Chapter 6 (a) and (b) shall be waived for candidates unopposed for the Democratic nomination or who have secured a nominating majority of delegates or a state or national convention.

Chapter 7: Conflicts of Interest and Personal Objections

1. An College Democrats at IU Officer with a personal, political, or financial conflict of interest must notify the President and rescue him or her from any duties related to the matter. The President shall appoint an officer to assume these duties.
2. An executive board member with a personal, political, or financial conflict of interest must notify the executive board at the time of any vote on the matter and abstain.
3. The President or any vice-President may ask for a conflict of interest statement from any officer or executive board member. The officer or executive board member must state his conflict of interest and take the appropriate action outlined above, or affirm that not conflict of interest exists.
4. A College Democrats at IU officer with an ethical or moral objection to a requirement of his duties may notify the President and rescue himself from these duties. The President shall appoint an officer to assume these duties.
5. A member of officer actively involved in a competitive primary election shall refrain from using College Democrats at IU funds, materials, information, distribution and/or membership lists, office space or other resources in support of, or against, any primary candidate facing a challenge. Violating members will be warned by the Executive Board, and upon a second violation will be reported to the faculty sponsor and the Office of Student Affairs. Officers in violation can be warned by a majority vote of the Executive Board, by the President, or by any Vice-President. Refusal by an officer to respect this warning will result in removal per II-10 of the constitution.

Chapter 9: Disorderly Conduct at Meetings

The President may rule any meeting attendee “out of order” for disorderly conduct. He or she may request that any attendee leave after a second incident of disorderly conduct. The meeting shall be recessed and the IU police shall be called to remove any individual who refuses to leave after two incidents of disorderly conduct.

Chapter 10: Indiana University Clauses

1. Statement of University Compliance: This organization shall comply with all Indiana University regulations, and local, state, and federal laws.
2. Anti-Hazing Policy: Hazing is strictly prohibited. Hazing shall be defined as any conduct which subjects another person, whether physically, mentally, emotionally, or psychologically, to anything that may abuse, degrade, or intimidate the person as a condition of association with a group or organization, regardless of the person’s consent or lack of consent.