Constitution
Download the DCD Constitution (pdf)Preamble
The Dickinson College Democrats are a group of young adults who are committed to serving their College, local community, state, and nation by becoming intimately involved in political and governmental operation, serving as a gateway into the democratic process, providing a forum for positive and intellectual debate, and promoting the adoption of progressive and reasonable policies in our government.
Article I - Name
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Dickinson College Democrats.
Section 2. The Dickinson College Democrats shall be affiliated with the Pennsylvania Young Democrats.
Section 3. The Dickinson College Democrats shall be affiliated with, and active members of, the Pennsylvania Federation of College Democrats.
Section 4. The Dickinson College Democrats shall be affiliated with, and active members of, the Central Pennsylvania Consortium Democrats (CPC Democrats). They will abide by the Constitution of the CPC Democrats, as approved by the organization.
Article II - Membership
Section 1. The Dickinson College Democrats is open to all Dickinson students, faculty, and staff.
Section 2. A person shall become a recognized member after attending two (2) meetings.
Section 3. A member shall receive voting privileges after attending a minimum of one-third (1/3) of the meetings.
Section 4. Dues may be assessed at the beginning of each semester in a manner and amount as determined by the Executive Committee.
Article III - Officers
Section 1. The officers of the Dickinson College Democrats will be the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and General Liaison. These officers will make up the Executive Committee.
Section 2. President. The duties of the President of the Dickinson College Democrats shall be to uphold and enforce this constitution, to organize and preside over all meetings and other fuctions, to call special meetings when necessary, to appoint all select committees and additional officers with the approval of the Executive Committee, to serve ex officio on all committees, to represent the organization at all College and community functions, and to chair the Executive Committee. The absence of a specific power or duty from this list is not necessarily a denial of its existence.
Section 3. Vice President. The duties of the Vice President of the Dickinson College Democrats shall be to advise and assist the President, chair all committees pertaining to this constitution, insure that all charters are current, and assume the responsibilities of the President in the absence of the President. In the event of the President's removal from office, the Vice President shall take the place of the President for the remainder of the given term.
Section 4. Secretary. The duties of the Secretary of the Dickinson College Democrats shall be to keep the minutes of all Chapter and Executive Committtee meetings, keep an accurate list of members and attendance at meetings, and manage all correspondence.
Section 5. Treasurer. The duties of the Treasurer of the Dickinson College Democrats shall be to keep charge of the finances, submit a report of the balance and spending at every meeting, chair the finance committee, maintain signing power over all funds at the discretion on the Executive Committee, and maintain the financial records for the organization.
Section 6. General Liaison. The duties of the General Liaison of the Dickinson College Democrats shall be to attend meetings and coordinate activities with other College and community clubs and organizations, faculty, and staff.
Section 7. Succession shall be determined in the order in which the officers are listed in Article III, Section 1.
Section 8. Impeachment of officers shall take place at a regularly scheduled meeting where a petition of charges shall be set forth. The petition must be presented to the Executive Committee and at the following meeting, the hearing will be held. Notice must be given to the officer in question at least one calendar week before the hearing. Proper time shall be allowed for debate as moderated by the Parliamentarian. Two-thirds (2/3) of the voting members shall be required for a quorum and two-thirds (2/3) of those voting members present shall be required to vote for removal from office.
Section 9. The oath of office shall read: "ÒI do solemnly swear (or affirm), that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the Dickinson College Democrats, and will, to the best of my ability, encourage progressive policies and support Democratic candidates, on campus, in the community, and in the nation, and will strive to strengthen and grow the organization within my charge, for the betterment of the United States of America and the world.Ó The oath shall be taken with the left hand on the American flag and the right hand placed on the Buchanan Brick, and shall be administered by the individual currently holding the same office, by another current officer, by a visiting Democratic elected official, or another individual as deemed appropriate by the current President.
Article IV - Elections
Section 1. Elections shall be held every April at a regularly scheduled meeting at which two-thirds (2/3) of the voting members shall constitute a quorum.
Section 2. Terms shall begin the day following the last day of classes at the end of the spring semester. An inauguration ceremony shall be held in Memorial Hall, Old West at midnight on the last day of classes.
Section 3. A senior from the Dickinson College Democrats, as determined by the general membership, shall chair the elections process.
Section 4. Nominations shall be taken from the voting members and are required to be seconded. Each candidate shall then be given an opportunity to speak, at the discretion of the presiding senior.
Section 5. Special elections shall be held to fill a vacancy at the discretion of the Executive Committee. The President shall have the power to temporarily appoint an active member to a vacant officer position, for a period not to exceed one month, unless the vacancy occurs in the months of October or November, in which case the President can appoint a new officer for the entire period up to, and including the election, and for a two week period following Election Day.
Article V - Voting
Section 1. All voting shall be done by secret ballot, excepting the removal of an officer, which shall be done by roll call.
Section 2. Any candidate running unopposed shall be elected via unanimous consent.
Section 3. In the event of a tie, the five (5) members of the Executive Committee shall vote between those who are tied.
Article VI - Meetings
Section 1. The general membership of the Dickinson College Democrats will meet every second week, except in the months leading up to an election, or at any other time when the Executive Board feels it prudent to meet weekly or even more frequently.
Section 2. The Executive Committee shall meet on alternate weeks of general body meetings. These meetings shall be made open to the entire membership.
Section 3. The agenda shall be set by the Executive Committee and distributed to the general membership at least two days prior to the general meeting.
Article VII - Functions
Section 1. Promote Democratic ideals, foster interest and activism in the political process and governmental affairs, and serve the Dickinson College community.
Section 2. Volunteer for political campaigns in local, state, and national elections and serve as a mouthpiece for those campaigns on the Dickinson campus.
Section 3. Register voters and operate get-out-the-vote drives.
Section 4. Outreach to new members and like-minded organizations.
Section 5. Promote debate and educate the community.
Section 6. Bring real-world speakers with expertise in political and governmental affairs to campus.
Section 7. The Dickinson College Democrats will not endorse candidates until all nominees have been chosen by the Democratic Party. However individuals within the organization may support candidates at any time.
Section 8. Take Dickinson students to Democratic and political conferences, conventions, and meetings at a state, regional, and national level.
Section 9. The activities above are not limiting and the Dickinson College Democrats are encouraged to undertake other activities as well.
Article VIII - Committees
Section 1. Standing committees shall consist of the Constitution Committee, Finance Committee, Outreach Committee, Campaigns Committee, and Events Committee.
Section 2. The President shall appoint a chair for all committees. Other committee membership shall consist of volunteers from the general membership.
Section 3. Voting in committees shall be on a majority basis.
Section 4. The Executive Committee shall determine what is in the scope of each committee.
Section 5. Special committees shall be created by the President as needed and confirmed by the Executive Committee.
Section 6. All members of the Executive Committee may sit in on any committee's proceedings. They may not vote unless otherwise on the committee.
Article IX - Amendments
Section 1. Amendments to this Constitution must be submitted to the Secretary one meeting before the amendment process begins and the Secretary shall be responsible for informing the general membership of the proposed change.
Section 2. Approval of amendments shall occur when two-thirds (2/3) of the voting members are present and two-thirds (2/3) of those voting members present vote in favor of the amendment.
Article X - Provisions for the Application of this Constitution
Section 1. Voting to approve this Constitution shall be done on a majority basis of those individuals present at the meeting.
Section 2. The election of new officers in April of the year two-thousand and four (2004) shall be done on a majority basis of those individuals present at the meeting, who have attended at least one meeting prior to the election and after the ratification of this constitution.
This constitution was duly ratified on Wednesday, March 3, 2004 by the membership of the Dickinson College Democrats and has been approved by the Dickinson Student Senate Constitutional Affairs and Elections Committee.
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