Penn State College Democrats

1. Name

The name of this organization shall be the Penn State College Democrats. It will hence forth be referred to in this document as the College Democrats.  

2. Purpose

1. The purpose of the College Democrats shall be to promote, both on campus and off, the Democratic Party of the United States of America, its ideals, and its philosophies. Moreover, the College Democrats shall encourage all University students to support the Democratic candidates and elected officials at the Federal, State, and Local level.

3. Membership

1. Membership shall consist of active and associate members.
1. Active membership consists of those who have paid their dues and have attended 2/3 of the meetings in a given semester.
1. Active members can run for executive office, can chair a committee, and are eligible to vote in College Democrat elections.
2. Active members will be counted towards quorum.
3. Active members may overrule an executive council decision by a majority (50%+1) of quorum during general organization meetings.
4. Active members are the only members permitted to be present during nominations, elections, and constitutional amendment votes.
5. No associate members may become active members in the time between the calling to order of the Nomination Meeting and the end of the school year.
2. Associate membership shall be defined as any individual who has not met the above criteria but acts to further the clubs goals and interests.
1. Associate members may not run for executive office, vote, or chair committees.
2. Associate members will not count towards quorum.
3. Associate members may attend meetings, participate in committees, and assist in carrying out any organization event.
3. The College Democrats will not restrict membership based on characteristics of a student, which are intrinsic to the identity of that student, and are not essential to the potential value of that student as a member of The College Democrats and the Penn State University Community at large. The Pennsylvania State University prohibits discrimination and harassment against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status. Discrimination or harassment against faculty, staff or students will not be tolerated at The Pennsylvania State University and College Democrats.
4. New Members
1. Any and all new members will be given full disclosure during recruitment, including but not limited to the disclosure of:
1. New Membership Manual
2. Schedule of New Member Events and Activities
3. A list of responsibilities
4. A copy of the University Hazing policy, prescribed by Policies and Rules for Student Organizations
2. All members, including but not limited to new members and recruits, reserve the right to refrain from participating in any activities without consequence, based upon personal/religious beliefs, personal values, or moral reserve as defined by the member.
3. Any and all interaction/activity between members and/or new members will be limited to guidelines stated by university policy, as well as local, state, and federal laws.
5. Membership Removal
1. An active or associate member may be removed from the College Democrats for any of the reasons prescribed in Article IX, Section A that have an * next to the offense.
2. An active or associate member who has been removed from the College Democrats will not be considered part of the College Democrats membership and can not participate in organization activities and meetings, unless the removal was solely voluntary at the member’s request.
2. Benefits of the Active Membership
1. The Active Membership shall receive, when applicable, preferential treatment at events sponsored by the College Democrats.
2. The Membership who paid dues to the College Democrats shall receive discounts on items distributed or sold by the College Democrats.
3. Inability to attend individual meetings due to course conflicts, exams, or medical conditions shall not be counted as meetings missed upon the notification and approval of the Executive Board.

4. Officers and Executive Board

1. There will be five elected officers:
1. President
2. Executive Vice-President (EVP)
3. Administrative Vice-President (AVP)
4. Treasurer
5. Secretary
2. Duties and Powers
1. The President:
1. Shall be the chief executive officer of the College Democrats and is responsible for the actions of the organization.
2. Shall chair all regular meetings.
3. Shall put all motions to vote and give the results.
4. Shall set the agenda of and preside over all Executive Board meetings.
5. May call emergency Executive Board Meetings.
6. Shall appoint executive officers in order to fill vacancies, following a 50%+1 vote of consent of the Executive Board, until the next election. If the vacancy is not filled, the president shall assume all duties of the vacant office.
7. Shall create Ad Hoc committees as deemed necessary.
8. Shall approve all documents deemed necessary
9. Shall attend or appoint a designee to all meetings requesting a College Democrats liaison.
10. Will share the responsibility with the Treasurer for access of moneys in the Associated Student Activities (ASA) account(s) by signing the paperwork for responsibility of College Democrats moneys entrusted to ASA.
11. Shall oversee all Executive officers.
1. Shall confer with the Executive Vice-President and the Administrative Vice-President on the progress and outcomes of any and all activities proposed by their respective committees.
2. Shall convey plausible proposals to the executive council at their regularly scheduled meetings, holding a vote if necessary.
12. Shall be liaison to all other Democratic organizations including:
1. Centre County Democratic Committee
2. Pennsylvania Democratic Party
3. Pennsylvania Federation of College Democrats
4. Pennsylvania Young Democrats
5. Any other Democratic or Progressive Organization requesting a liaison.
13. Will sit on the Centre County Democratic Committee Executive Board as prescribed by that organizations constitution.
14. Shall, upon the presentation to the Treasurer of proper documentation of receipt, be refunded an amount not exceeding $30 per month. Such discretionary funds are to be used toward expenditures related to carrying out club business.
15. Shall carry out any other duties necessary for the success of the organization not delegated to others by this constitution.
2. Executive Vice-President
1. Shall act as President when the President is unable to perform his or her duties.
2. Shall oversee Campaign, Communications and Fundraising Chairs.
3. Shall succeed to the Presidency if the President resigns or is removed pursuant to impeachment.
4. Shall attend a majority of the meetings for the committees he or she oversees.
1. Give progress reports at all regularly scheduled executive board meetings, and upon request of the President.
2. Assist their committees in carrying out their actions.
5. Shall assume other duties delegated to them by the President
3. Administrative Vice-President
1. Shall act as President or Executive Vice-President when either the President or Executive Vice-President are unable to perform his or her duties.
2. Shall oversee Events, Webmaster, Social, Outreach and all Ad Hoc chairs.
3. Shall act as Parliamentarian for all meetings.
4. Assume other duties delegated to him or her by the President.
5. Succeed to the Presidency if both the President and the EVP are impeached or resign.
4. Treasurer:
1. Shall keep track of all College Democrat accounts and expenditures.
2. Shall oversee all budgets.
3. Shall be responsible for providing council with budgetary report, which includes:
1. Ledger
2. Balance (money in account at time of meeting)
4. Shall liaise with Fundraising Chair

5)  Secretary:

1. Shall maintain all agendas, minutes, and motions for all College Democrat meetings.
2. Shall make copies of agendas available for all executive members during meetings, and shall keep a file of all agendas for future reference.
3. Shall be responsible for making the constitution available to all who request it.
4. Shall conduct correspondence in regards to general executive board decisions.
5. Shall notify all members of regular and special meetings called by the President at the time of the previous meeting.
6. Shall keep track of the attendance of all College Democrat members at Council and Executive Meetings.
1. Shall keep track of eligibility for voting and quorum purposes.
2. Shall report this eligibility when requested.
7. Shall manage all List Serv(s).
8. Shall confer with webmaster on the College Democrats’s website.
9. Shall keep a file with all important documents for future reference.
10. Conduct correspondence as necessary.
3. Eligibility
1. A nominee for President must be a full time student, as defined by University policy, and have been an active member of the College Democrats for two semesters before seeking the office of president, except at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, where eligibility will be determined by the Executive Board.
2. All other nominees must be full time students, as defined by University policy, and have been an active member of the College Democrats for one semester prior to seeking the following offices, except at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, where eligibility will be determined by the Executive Board:
1. Executive Vice-President
2. Administrative Vice-President
3. Treasurer
4. Secretary
4. Officers shall serve a term of one academic year starting one week after the organizations elections as described in Article VIII, Section A.
5. All elected officers shall serve on the Executive Board
1. The Executive board shall:
1. Define the overall focus of the College Democrats during their tenure.
2. Discuss, debate and vote on all actions proposed by the President to the Executive Board.
1. Votes must pass by a majority (50%+1) of council present.
2. Votes may only occur if 3 or more officers are present at a meeting.
3. If only 3 members are present at an emergency Executive Board meeting, a unanimous decision must be reached.
3. Hold a transition meeting in the week following the organization’s election and transfer all necessary documents and information for the incoming officer’s success.
2. Decisions by the Executive Council may be overruled by a majority (50%+1) of quorum at the general meeting following the Executive meeting where the matter was decided.
6. Order of Succession
1. Upon the removal, resignation, incapacitation, or indefinite absence of an officer or officers, succession shall follow the order as enumerated in Article IV, Section A.

5. Committees

1. There shall be seven standing committees, each with a chair in charge of its activities:
1. Campaign
1. Shall be in charge of:
1. Preparing and informing the club in regards to primary elections.
2. Preparing and informing the club in regards to general elections.
3. Organizing all campaign activities which include:
1. Canvassing
2. Information sessions
3. Phone banking
4. Get out the vote (GOTV) efforts
5. Coordinating Volunteers
4. Act as a liaison between campaign offices and the College Democrats.
5. Carrying out opposition research.
2. Events
1. Shall be in charge of:
1. Educational events, which include:
1. Speakers
2. Debates
3. Forums and Panels
2. Activist Events, with assistance from the Campaign Chair, which include:
1. Lobbying events
2. Rally events
3. Petitioning activities
3. Community Service Events
3. Communications
1. Shall be in Charge of:
1. Rapid response to attacks on the College Democrats, Democratic candidates, and Democratic officials
2. Publicity of:
1. The organization and its activities
2. The message and focus of the College Democrats
3. The Democratic Party
4. Democratic Candidates
3. Media Relations, in cooperation with the president.
4. Op-Eds and Letters to the Editor
4. Fundraising
1. Shall fundraise for the College Democrats through:
1. Product Sales;
2. Donation solicitation of politicians, campaigns, corporations, and individuals;
3. Other activities limited by legality and propriety, deemed as such by the Executive Board.
2. Shall collaborate with the Treasurer.
5. Webmaster
1. Shall create and maintain the College Democrat’s website.
2. Shall work with the secretary, chairs and executives to keep up to date information available.
6. Social
1. Shall be in charge of:
1. Activities involved with Thon
2. Social Events
3. Mixers
2. Shall work to keep morale high ensure that members of the College Democrats have an enjoyable experience.
7. Outreach
1. Shall be in charge of:
1. Overall recruitment
2. Involvement Fairs
3. Promoting the club and its events in conjunction with the Communication Chair.
2. Act as President’s primary designated liaison to other organizations on campus
1. Involve and invite other Progressive organizations in club activities.
2. Promote the Democratic Party and its ideals to other Progressive organizations
2. All Committee chairs have discretionary power to appoint sub-chairs as needed.
3. Ad Hoc committees shall be created at the President’s discretion when deemed necessary for a specific purpose.
4. Decisions requiring executive council approval may be presented at regularly scheduled executive board meetings.
5. Nominations for all committee chairs shall be submitted no sooner than two days subsequent general elections and no later than twenty-four hours preceding the inaugural meeting of the newly elected executive council.
1. Nominees for Committee chairs may self nominate.
2. The President, with the advice and consent of the Executive Board at this meeting, shall appoint chair positions from the members nominated.
1. If no person has been nominated, committees may remain vacant.
2. This vacancy must be filled as soon as possible.

6. Meetings

1. Meetings shall be scheduled on a weekly basis.
1. All meeting times and locations must be sent to the membership no later than one week in advance.
2. All meetings will be open to Democratic Officials, Candidates, or surrogates to attend.
2. Meeting time and location shall be determined and transcribed by the secretary at the inaugural executive council meeting.

Article VII. Finances

1. All College Democrats funds will be deposited and handled exclusively through exclusively the ASA.
2. The College Democrats will not have an off-campus account.
3. The payment of dues is necessary to attain active membership.
1. This amount is determined by the Executive Board at the beginning of their term.
2. The amount can not be overly excessive.
4. The Executive Board has the discretion to make decisions that will result in spending of $300 or less.
1. All expenditures must be reported to the general membership by the Treasurer.
2. All amounts greater than $300 dollars must be approved by a quorum of active membership.
5. All receipts must be submitted to the Treasurer for reimbursement.

8. Elections

1. Head of Elections
1. The head of elections shall be the College Democrats advisor.
2. The advisor may appoint a student designate to assist him in the election process.
1. Designates may not publicly endorse a candidate.
2. Designates may not run for elected office.
3. Designates are, however, allowed to vote.
3. The Head of Elections shall keep order during elections.
4. The Head of Elections will prepare equally sized pieces of blank paper to act as ballots to be distributed during voting.
5. The Head of Elections shall count the ballots.
1. They will say the vote totals
2. They will announce:
1. Whether a candidate has won
2. Whether a revote is needed and the candidate that will not participate in the revote.
6. The Head of Elections will also be in charge of collecting absentee votes.
1. They will compare the list of active members to absentee ballot submissions they receive.
2. They will bring the absentee ballots to the election and count them during totaling process.
7. The Head of Elections will ensure that an orderly transition occurs to between the outgoing and incoming Executive Boards.
2. Elections shall be at the meeting occuring two weeks prior to finals week in the spring semester.
1. The date of the election shall be announced at the beginning of the spring by the Executive Board.
2. The date of the election can be moved to the week directly prior to finals week only in the following cases:
1. The regularly scheduled week falls on the eve or on the day of a Primary Election.
2. The Executive Board and active membership vote to change the date of elections by a 2/3 vote respectively.
3. Only active members and the Head of Election may be present for the entire election process.
4. A clear time for the election’s starting must be provided to the club.
1. Five minutes following that time elections will commence.
2. Doors will be sealed and any member who leaves the room for any reason can not reenter.
3. Members who were not present during the initial Active Member count shall not vote.
1. Exceptions will be considered by the Head of Elections. 
3. Requirements
1. All nominees must be a registered Democrat
1. Verification of this must be presented to the Head of Elections
2. All nominees, including non-citizens, must meet the “factors of eligibility” as defined by Article IV, Section C.
1. Verification of this must be presented to the Head of Elections.
3. All nominees must be an active member of the College Democrats, as reported by the Secretary and confirmed by the Head of Elections. 
4. Nominations
1. Nominations will occur at the meeting preceding the scheduled meeting of the College Democrat’s election.
2. Nominations must be made by active members of the College Democrats.
3. No one may self nominate for elected positions.
4. All nominations must be seconded, but shall not be seconded by the nominee.
5. Previously impeached members or officers may not be nominated.
6. Nominations can be submitted to the Head of Elections in the week following the nomination meeting but not more than 24 hours before the general election.
5. Platforms
1. Those nominated and seconded at the nomination meeting and any time up until 48 hours prior to the election, have the privilege to write a platform.
2. Platforms must be submitted within 48 hours of nomination to the Head of Elections.
3. Platforms will be made readily available to the active membership through posting on the College Democrat’s website and being sent over the organization listserv.
6. Absentee Ballots
1. If for any reason an active member can not attend the elections, they are permitted to submit an absentee ballot.
2. Absentee ballots must be submitted to the Head of Elections at least 24 hours prior to elections.
1. Absentee ballots will be submitted to a location determined by the Head of Elections
2. Ballots submitted can only contain the names of candidates that were nominated at the time of their submission.
3. Ballots submitted must contain the name of each office with the name of one (1) candidate next to it.
3. If absentee ballots contain the name of a candidate that has lost for the position it was cast for, it will no longer be counted for that position or towards the overall total.
4. By submitting an absentee ballot the voter risks not voting for a candidate that is nominated on the night of elections.
5. No absentee ballot can be changed after submitted, even if there is a change in candidates.
7. Election Process
1. Elections shall proceed in the following order:
1. President
2. Executive Vice-President
3. Administrative Vice-President
4. Treasurer
5. Secretary
2. Final Nominations
1. Prior to giving speeches, the Head of Elections shall ask for any final nominations.
2. These nominations must be made and seconded by someone other than the nominee.
3. All nominations having been received by the Head of Elections, the names of the nominees for the office of President will be displayed to the club.
1. The names will be listed in alphabetical order by last name.
2. This will be the order in which the candidates speak.
4. Speeches
1. Candidates for President will be allowed to speak for 3 minutes to the club outlining their credentials, platform, and ideas for the organization.
2. Candidates for all other offices will be allowed to speak for 2 minutes.
3. Order of speech will be determined by order of succession beginning with president and ending with secretary.
4. Candidates will speak in alphabetical order of their last name.
5. Question and Answer Period
1. There shall be a question and answer period directly following the candidate’s speech.
2. Questions will be asked from the active membership.
1. Candidates for President will have a 3 minute question and answer period.
2. Candidates for all other offices will have a 2 minute question and answer period.
6. Voting
1. Voting shall occur for President after all Presidential candidates have given their speeches and answered questions.
2. The Head of Elections will pass one (1) prepared ballot to each active member that is present.
1. This will be a secret ballot.
2. No other ballot can be submitted except this.
3. Active members will write the name of one (1) candidate on the ballot.
1. The name must be written as displayed to the club.
2. Anything written other than a candidates name will disqualify the ballot.
3. A blank ballot will disqualify the ballot.
4. The Head of Election will collect the ballots, count them (including absentee ballots), and announce the results.
1. One candidate must achieve a majority (50%+1) of the valid votes cast.
2. When there are more than two candidates, and none receives a majority, the candidate receiving the least amount of votes shall be dropped from the ballot and a revote will be taken between the remaining candidates.
3. If for any reason a tie occurs, a revote shall be taken until one candidate receives a majority.
1. If no candidate receives a majority of votes after 2 round of voting, each candidate can give a one minute speech or persuasion to the club.
2. These speeches will take place in alphabetical order by last name.
3. This process will continue until a candidate withdraws or attains a majority.
5. Any candidate not receiving a majority (50%+1) may drop down to the next position or any subsequent position.

9. Quorum

1. Quorum shall be defined as 33% of active members.
1. An active member list shall be kept by the secretary at all meetings.
2. Attendance shall determine whether quorum has been met.
2. Any meeting requiring a vote must first reach quorum.

10. Impeachment

1. Grounds for impeachment of any officer, chair, or member of the College Democrats shall be for:
1. Continued, gross, or willful neglect of the duties of the office;
2. Failure or refusal to disclose necessary information on matters of organization business;
3. Unauthorized expenditures or misuse of organization funds;
4. Unwarranted and slanderous attacks on Democratic officials*;
5. Misrepresentation of the organization and its officers to outside organizations*;
6. Actions contrary to or in violation of this constitution*.
2. After being impeached an ex-officer cannot at any time in the future hold any office in the organization.
3. Articles of Impeachment must be put forth to the Executive Board in writing at a regularly scheduled meeting by an active member.
1. These articles must include name, office, reason, and cited examples of the offense.
2. The officer or member of College Democrats that articles of impeachment are levied against must be given a written copy of said articles within 24 hours of their presentation to council.
4. A majority (50%+1) vote of quorum is needed to pass articles of impeachment against any officer or member.
5. The accused may vote on the articles of impeachment, but if passed, general voting rights are forfeited until a definitive decision has been decided in the impeachment proceedings.
6. The president may call a special session (not to take place before 72 hours after the meeting that the articles of impeachment were passed) or wait until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the College Democrats to hold a vote on impeachment in order to determine if the officer or member of the College Democrats shall be removed from office.
7. A special quorum consisting of a majority (50%+1) of active membership is necessary in order to hold impeachment proceedings.
8. A 2/3 majority vote is needed to remove the officer or member of College Democrats.
9. During this meeting College Democrats will go into executive session while discussion and voting takes place concerning the removal of the officer or member.
1. Executive session shall be defined as the executive board, active members, and advisor only.
2. Discussion will occur as follows:
1. Speech by accuser on the impeachment.
2. Witnesses speaking on the behalf of the accuser.
3. Witnesses speaking on the behalf of the accused.
4. Final speech by the accused.
10. The accused and the accuser shall be able to cross-examine all witnesses, shall present factual evidence, and shall be given the chance to defend him or herself.
11. After all witnesses and speeches have been heard, there shall be an open discussion.
1. The member being impeached shall not partake in the discussion, and will be asked to leave the room
2. All members will be allowed to speak on the matter.
3. Discussion shall not exceed 10 minutes total.
12. All voting in cases of impeachment or removal from office shall be made by secret ballot, which are to be counted by the advisor or their designate. 

11. Advisor

1. The advisor of the Penn State College Democrats shall be a full-time faculty or staff member at The Pennsylvania State University,
2. New Advisors will be chosen by the College Democrats, under the advisement of the outgoing advisor and local Democratic Party officials.

12. Endorsements

1. The College Democrats will not endorse any candidate in any Primary Election, unless there is only one candidate running for the Democratic Nomination.
2. Members of the College Democrats are permitted and encouraged to individually support candidates that they feel deserve the Democratic nomination.
1. These individual actions should not be taken as support of the College Democrats as a whole.
2. Clarification should be made when engaged in Primary election activities to others that they are acting as an individual, not on behalf of the College Democrats.
3. The Penn State College Democrats will support all Democratic Candidates at all levels in the General Election.

13. Parliamentary Authority

1. Roberts Rules of Order shall be used in all cases not covered by this constitution.

      B) The AVP shall act as parliamentarian for the College Democrats

14. Amendments

1. Any active member may introduce a constitutional amendment.  At the following meeting, the active membership shall vote on said amendment.
2. A two-thirds majority vote of quorum is needed to pass any constitutional amendment.
3. No amendments will take effect ex post facto.
4. All amendments are subject to the approval of the Center for Student Engagement.

15. Ratification

In order to ratify this constitution, it must be approved as an amendment as defined by its predecessor.