Constitution

CONSTITUTION OF THE FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE DEMOCRATS

Florida Southern College

2019

Article I: Name, Purpose, and Membership

Section I - Name

A.The name of this organization shall be Florida Southern College Democrats, hereinafter referred to as College Democrats.

B.College Democrats is a student organization at Florida Southern College.

Section II - Purpose

A. As a chartered chapter of the Florida College Democrats, Florida Southern College Democrats is dedicated to:

Encouraging participation in the political process and Democratic Party;
Engaging in local, state, and federal politics;
Furthering civic engagement of Florida Southern students;
Promoting equality, social justice, and freedom within a just society.

Section III - Membership

A. College Democrats is open to any student in good standing enrolled at Florida Southern College.

B. College Democrats does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, sex, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

C. Voting privileges shall be granted to students in good standing enrolled at Florida Southern College and with good membership standing with College Democrats.

D. The responsibilities of all members shall include the attendance of meetings, participation in events, payments set forth by the executive board, and remaining in good standing within the organization.

E. The determination of dues will be left to the discretion of the officers.

F. Membership may be terminated by violation in any of the responsibilities listed above.

Article II: Executive Board - Duties, Election, and Removal

Section I - Composition and Eligibility

A. The officers of this organization shall include the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Public Relations Chair, and an Event Planning Chair.

B. All officers must be enrolled students in good standing at Florida Southern College.

C. All officers who are eligible to be a registered voter must be registered as a member of the Democratic party.

Section II - General Duties

A. General duties include active involvement in all College Democrats activities, attendance at Executive Board meetings, and promotion of the policies and events put forth by the organization.

Section III - Duties and Responsibilities

A. The President shall preside at all meetings of the organization, and represent the organization to the college and others, and shall convene with the executive committee at least monthly during an academic session. If a tie occurs during the appointment of an Executive Board position, the President’s vote decides the tie.

B. The Vice President shall assist the President in implementing the goals of College Democrats, aid Executive Board members as necessary, and temporarily assume the duties of President when he/she is absent.

C. The Treasurer shall keep accurate financial records of the College Democrats bank account, be responsible for fundraising, present an approximated budget at the beginning of each semester, and collaborate with the Political Science Department on budgeting, funding, and reimbursements.

D. The Secretary shall maintain minutes of all meetings, record member data (names, phone numbers, emails, etc.), take roll at events to track membership, and assist other Executive Board members when applicable.

E. The Public Relations Chair shall maintain all communication with outside organizations as well as the upkeep of all social media, website, and email.

F. The Event Planning Chair is responsible for creating and managing events for the chapter. They will input events details into Engage, cooperate with the Secretary in inviting guests to events and creation of an event calendar. They are expected to set up, be at, and clean up every event.

a. If the Event Planning Chair cannot make it to their own event, they must let the President know at least three (3) days in advance unless emergency situations prevent their attendance.

Section IV - Election and Removal

A. Officers shall be elected by a simple majority vote of the members present at the second meeting of the fall semester.If vacancies occur in any of the offices, a simple majority present at the meeting shall elect new officers after the announcement of the vacancy.

B. An officer may be removed at any time with or without cause by a 2/3-majority vote of the total voting membership.

a. Automatic removal of officers shall occur if eligibility standards are not maintained or if academic or behavioral probation or suspension.

C. Elections for Executive Board Positions shall be held the end of the spring semester.

D. Elections shall be managed by a graduating senior who has no stake in the election.

a. If there is no graduating senior to manage the election, other people who can manage the election include:

i.Advisor

ii.Member with no stake in the election/is not running

Section V: Appointment of Executive Board Positions

A. In the event that an Executive Board position becomes vacant during the school year before spring elections, the Executive Board may conduct a vote on which member to appoint to fill the position.

a. Members may be nominated by an Executive Board officer.

b. After nominees are discussed, Executive Board officers will vote.

i.In the event of a tie, the president’s vote decides the tie.

Article III: Committees

Section I - The Executive Board

A. The Executive Board shall be comprised of the elected officers of the organization and shall meet to prepare agenda items and informational reports, and to collaborate on the business of the organization. The Executive Committee may, with a majority vote, authorize expenditures of finances for routine operational expenses.

B. All other committees shall be made at the request of an officer and guidelines will be created at the formation of the committee.

Article IV: Operations

Section I – Quorum

A. A quorum for conducting any business of the organization shall consist of a simple majority of the total membership.

Section II - Meetings

A. The regular meeting schedule of College Democrats shall be determined by the Executive Board and publicized on the members’ Facebook page and Engage.

B. The Executive Board may call special meetings and notice shall be given in writing to all members.

Section III - Organizational Business

A. The conduct of business of the organization shall comply with Robert’s Rules of Order.

B. The organization shall comply with sound practices of financial management.

C. Should this organization disband, the Executive Committee shall disburse the assets to the Political Science Department. Should no officers be available, the Political Science Department Chair shall be authorized to make the disbursal.

Section IV - Advisor

A. The College Democrats shall have an advisor appointed by the college administration. The advisor shall attend meetings as needed and serve as a liaison between the organization and the college.

Article V - Ratification and Amendments

Section I - Ratification

A. This Constitution shall become effective upon a 2/3 vote of the initial membership, and chartering of the organization by the College Student Senate. This Constitution shall become effective upon a 2/3 of those voting with a minimum of 10% of all enrolled students voting. (Student Senate)

Section II - Amendment

A. This constitution may be amended by a 2/3 vote of the total membership of this organization.

B. Amendments may be submitted in written form to the Executive Board. The Executive Board must approve the amendment for inclusion on a ballot.

C. Every two years (off-election year), the Vice President shall lead a committee to be recruited at his/her will to review this Constitution and propose any necessary amendments.