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The Southern Fairfield Our mission is to increase participation of 14-35 year old residents of Southern Fairfield County in the Democratic Party and the political process. We aim to create and promote policies that positively impact Young Democrats, and to elect and work alongside candidates who share our priorities. We work to educate, develop, and support a new generation of leaders. Article I Organizational Format Section 1: The SFCYD shall have six elected officials: Co- Presidents (male and female), Vice-President of Operations and Chapter Development, VP of Political Affairs, VP of Finance, and Recording Secretary. Regular membership shall be open to persons who are at least fourteen (14) years of age and thirty-six (36) or more years of age. Individuals over eighteen (18) years of age old must be a registered Democratic voter. Section 2: All public meetings of the SFCYD shall be open to all members regardless of race, sex, color, creed, national origin, religion, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, economic status, philosophical persuasion, or physical disability (hereinafter collectively referred to as "status"). The geographical region referred to as Southern Fairfield County shall include the following towns and cities; Section 3: No test for membership in, nor any oath of loyalty to, the SFCYD shall be required or used which has the effect of requiring prospective or current members of the SFCYD to acquiesce in, condone or support discrimination on the grounds of status. Section 4: The time and place for all general meetings of the SFCYD on all levels shall be publicized and in such a manner as to assure timely notice to all interested persons. Such meetings must be held in places accessible to all and large enough to accommodate all interested persons. Section 5: The SFCYD shall support the broadest possible registration without discrimination based on "status". Section 6: The SFCYD shall publicize in such manner as to assure notice to all interested parties a complete description of the legal and practical qualifications of all positions as officers and representatives of the SFCYD. Such publication should be done in timely fashion so that all prospective candidates or applicants for any elected or appointed position within the SFCYD will have full and adequate opportunity to compete for office. Article II Membership Section 1: Every member in good standing shall be eligible for any elected office in the SFCYD. Section 2: Two (2) members, one (1) male, and one (1) female, shall serve as Representatives to the State Caucus. This selection cannot include the Presidents, Vice President, Recording Secretary, or Treasurer of the Chapter. A President, Vice President or any other officer may serve as a temporary Representative. This may only occur when there are no other active members and should not exceed a total of ninety (90) days. Section 3: No member may be a voting member of any other Chapter, even if that person is a member of another Chapter for the purpose of representation at any meeting of the SFCYD. The most recent date of Chapter membership shall be binding unless the member in question expresses a choice to have another Chapter make a claim for his or her membership. Article III Elected Positions Section 1: The Co-Presidents of the SFCYD shall: · Manage day-to-day operations of the SFCYD, plan and implement policies for the SFCYD and leadership. · Create the agenda for all executive and general meetings. · Speak on behalf of the SFCYD and represent the SFCYD at functions sponsored by the SFCYD or other interest. · Delegate tasks, authority and personnel to accomplish the mission of the SFCYD. · Set the goals and standards for the leadership of the SFCYD. · Budget for activities and operation of the SFCYD. · Authorize the treasurer to sign off on checks or withdrawals. · Perform other tasks set by the SFCYD and leadership. · Compile and present an annual report for review and vote at each designated annual meeting. · Appoint all administrative officers and committee chairs, subject to approval by the elected leadership by a majority vote. Section 2: The Vice President of Chapter Development for the SFCYD shall: · Assist the presidents in the operation of the SFCYD · Represent the presidents and assume their responsibility if the presidents are not capable of executing his or her authority. · Increase membership and manage communication to members · Manage the roster of the SFCYD. · Coordinate outreach and publicity to young Democrats within the chapter’s defined region. Section 3: The Vice President of Finance of the SFCYD shall: · Manage the bank account of the SFCYD. · Sign off on all transaction with the counsel of the President and leadership. · Inform the SFCYD through a monthly financial report. · Perform other tasks set by the president and leadership. · Act as the treasurer for the SFCYD for any Political Action Committees (PACs) filed by the Chapter with the State of · File all necessary reports with the State of · Compile and present a budget for approval by the entire Southern Fairfield County membership. Section 4: The Vice President of Political Affairs of the SFCYD shall: · Assist the chapter with all endorsement proceedings. · Identify and present political issues to group for discussion and potential resolution. · Act as a liaison to political campaigns within the chapters region to provide support, volunteers and events. · Inform the chapter as to the state of political affairs in the region in the form of a monthly report. Section 5: Representatives to the State Caucus shall: · Serve as the voting members to the Connecticut Young Democrats State Caucus meetings. · Represent the views of the SFCYD. · Be one (1) Male and one (1) Female. · Not be the President, Vice President, or any other officer of the chapter. A President, Vice President or any other officer may serve as a temporary Representative. This may only occur when there are no other active members and should not exceed a total of ninety (90) days. Article IV Appointed positions Section 1: The presidents shall have the authority to appoint the designated leadership positions with the approval of the executive board. They shall also have the authority to create new appointed positions when needed. Section 2: With just and proper cause the executive board shall remove any appointed person from their position. Article V Elections Section 1: Elections shall happen once a year in the month of May. · All candidates for chapter office shall file their “intent to run” with the Recording Secretary at least fourteen (14) days prior to Election. Section 2: Each elected official shall have the authority to serve for one year. Section 3: Terms of Office · A vacancy created from a state officer who aged out shall be treated as a vacancy outlined in Section 4 of this Article. Section 4: Vacancies A. Vacancy in any of the elected offices shall be filled by a majority vote at a meeting of the membership, which shall be called with at least three (3) weeks notice from the Secretary. B. Candidates for vacancy must submit in writing, to the Secretary, their intent to run at least fourteen (14) days prior to the next Chapter meeting. C. If the President position is vacant, the Vice President shall temporarily fill the vacancy until such time a replacement is elected by the Chapter. D. Any person elected to fill a vacancy shall serve the remainder of the original term. E. For the office of Chapter Representative, the person filling the vacancy must be of the same gender as the person being replaced. Section 5: Removal A. Any officer may be removed by two-thirds (2/3rds) vote of the Chapter contingent upon the procedures outlined in Article VIII. Article VI Voting Rights Only Members that are in good standing are eligible to vote on any matter or hold elected office in the SFCYD. A member in good standing is defined as a member who has attended two or more meetings of the SFCYD within the twelve month period preceding the meeting in which such member desires to vote and/or hold office. Article VII Rules of Order Section 1: No Quorum is necessary to conduct regular business at a SFCYD meeting. Quorum is necessary for endorsements, removal, and amending bylaws. Section 2: In case of removal of any elected official, the President will appoint an individual to an elected position and until a special election is held within 30 days of a vacancy. Article VIII Removal of an Officer Section 1: Any officer may be removed by two-thirds (2/3rds) vote, at least ten votes in the affirmative, at a meeting of the SFCYD contingent upon the following conditions: A. Written charges are provided against the officer or member to every member of the State Caucus at least thirty (30) days in advance of the State Caucus meeting at which the removal shall be moved. B. The officer or member shall be given the opportunity to answer said charges and to know the identity of their accuser(s). Notification by certified mail to all known addresses shall be deemed as an invitation to answer such charges and shall constitute sufficient notice. C. A motion for removal, if passed, shall take effect immediately, at which time a vacancy shall be declared. D. A member may submit his/her resignation prior to State Caucus removal vote to expunge his/her record of the charges. Article IX: Procedures for Amending the Bylaws Section 1: This Constitution may be amended following a motion of two-thirds (2/3rds) vote of the Section 2: Notice to amend the Bylaws shall be given thirty (30) days prior to the meeting of the State Caucus. |
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