We, the members of the Massachusetts College Democrats, in an effort to promote and create a stronger Democratic Party, do hereby establish the Massachusetts College Democrats in order to politically empower the college
students of Massachusetts and the community beyond and increase community awareness of the Democratic ideals of diversity, social welfare, and equality of opportunity for all.
For these ends and upon these principles, we, the Democratic college students of Massachusetts , do hereby associate ourselves and adopt this Constitution.
Article I
Name, Affiliation, and Purpose
Section 1 - The name of this organization shall be the College Democrats of Massachusetts, herein after the CDM.
Section 2 - The CDM shall affiliate with the College Democrats of America (CDA).
Section 3 - The CDM pledges itself to support the philosophy of the Democratic Party. Furthermore, the CDM declares its intention to support efforts to increase the participation of college students in the affairs
of the Democratic Party. To these ends, the CDM shall educate and train its members so that they may be better able to:
A. Educate students about the philosophy of the Democratic Party;
B. Work with Democrats across the state of Massachusetts to achieve the legislative and political goals of the CDM, the College Democrats of America, and the Democratic Party.
Section 4 - The CDM shall have the ability to affiliate itself with other organizations who share similar goals.
Section 1 - Membership shall be defined as:
A. Membership in a chartered chapter of the CDM as determined by that chapter's membership criteria.
B. A college student at a non-chartered school who has petitioned individually for membership to the CDM Executive Board.
Section 2 - Any individual who meets the following requirements shall be eligible for membership in the CDM: The individual shall be pursuing a diploma or degree at a recognized post-secondary educational institution.
Section 3 - No applicant shall be denied membership based on race, creed, religion, gender, or physical or mental ability, marital status, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry or gender-identity.
Section 4 - No applicant shall be denied membership based on Massachusetts residency.
Article III
Organizational Structure
Section 1 - The CDM shall act as a liaison between the College Democrats of America and college chapters in Massachusetts .
Section 2 - Chapter Affiliations
The CDM shall establish and charter affiliate local chapters within the state. The CDM Executive Board reserves the right to restrict collegiate-based affiliations to one per chapter per campus.
Section 1 - Authority and Responsibility
The Executive Board shall have general authority and responsibility for the on going affairs of the Massachusetts College Democrats.
Section 2 - Composition
The Executive Board shall be compromised of elected and appointed members. The elected officers shall be: CDM President, Vice President, Communications Director, Finance Director, and Membership Director. The appointed positions
shall be: Legislative Director, Campaigns Director, and Programs Coordinator.
Section 3 - Representation
If there are two or more elected members from one school on the Executive Board, then no additional members from that school may be appointed to a position on the Executive Board. If one member is elected from a school, then
only one member from that school may be appointed to the Executive Board. There shall be no limitations by school membership on non-voting Executive Board members. Any member is still encouraged to apply for any and all appointed positions.
Section 4 - Regular Meetings
Regular meetings of the Executive Board shall be convened at the discretion of the CDM President. A quorum of more than 50 percent of the Executive Board shall be required before any official act can be taken.
Section 5 - Voting
Executive Board shall be constituted by a simple majority vote. Each member of the Executive Board shall have one vote in official meetings of the Executive Board. The President of the CDM does not have to vote unless there
is a tie.
Section 6 - Elections
Elections for the CDM Executive Board shall be conducted at a meeting of the general membership at the annual convention of CDM, unless otherwise designated by the Executive Board. No person may hold more than one position
on the Executive Board and only members of CDM are eligible to run for office in the organization.
Section 7 - Terms of Office
All elected officers' terms shall take effect immediately upon the adjournment of the general membership meeting at which they are elected and the term shall last for one year.
Section 8 - Removal
A. Cause for removal shall be defined as malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance of assigned duties or upon other grounds found by the Executive Board to constitute sufficient cause.
B. Any member of the Executive Board may charge the accused officer with the reason for his or her removal during a meeting of the Executive Board. The officer in question must be offered an opportunity to defend his/her self. If the charge stands, after a
period of two weeks, the issue will be put to a vote of the Executive Board. If a two-thirds (2/3) supermajority of the Executive Board votes for removal, said officer shall be removed, and the office will be declared vacant.
Section 9 - Vacancies
A vacancy shall be declared when a member of the Executive Board is absent or unable to attend their office. If there is a vacancy of any other position than CDM President, the President shall appoint a successor with the
majority consent of the Executive Board. If the vacancy is the CDM President, then the Vice President shall become President.
Section 10 - Duties
A. The President shall:
1. Be elected at the annual CDM Convention.
2. Be the Chief Executive of the Massachusetts College Democrats.
3. Act as the official representative to other groups and the media.
4. Define the agenda of the organization for his/her tenure.
5. Carry out the mandates and directives of the Executive Board.
6. Appoint non-voting members to the Executive Board.
7. Preside over all official meetings.
B. The Vice President shall:
1. Be elected at the annual CDM Convention.
2. Assume the office of State President when there is a vacancy in that office.
3. Serve as a liaison to the DNC, CDA, YDA, and other national and state-wide Democratic organizations.
4. Represent CDM at events where the State President is unable to attend.
5. Perform such duties as the Executive Board or President may assign.
C. The Communications Director shall:
1. Be elected at the annual CDM Convention.
2. Propose and implement a communications plan, subject to the approval of the Executive Board, designed to improve and expand internal and external communications.
3. Announce and publicize all official meetings and events.
4. Serve as CDM's official liaison to the news media.
5. Maintain the CDM website or appoint a webmaster.
D. The Membership Director shall:
1. Be elected at the annual CDM Convention.
2. Maintain an accurate roster of chapters with up-to-date contact information.
3. Propose the implementation of a new membership plan, subject to the approval of the Executive Board, designed to recruit new chapters and members into the organization.
4. Perform such duties as the Executive Board or President may assign.
E. The Finance Director shall:
1. Be elected at the annual CDM Convention.
2. Be responsible for all finance transactions of the CDM.
3. Responsible to work with the Executive Board for the fundraising of the CDM.
F. The Program Coordinator shall:
1. Be an appointed position.
2. Organize seminars, guest speakers, rallies, and any other activities and initiatives seen to fit the position.
3. Assist in planning the annual CDM Convention.
G. The Campaigns Director shall:
1. Be an appointed position.
2. Be tasked with the implementation of all CDM campaign goals as determined by the Executive Board.
3. Be the official liaison between local, statewide, and national campaigns.
4. Help all chapters access campaign activities.
H. The Legislative Director shall:
1. Be an appointed position.
2. Appraise current legislation on both the state and national levels.
3. Choose which legislation CDM shall target, inform the Executive Board and campus chapters of legislation, and organize lobbying efforts.
Annual CDM Convention
Section 1 - The CDM shall assemble in a state-wide Convention once every spring to elect officers and formulate policy decisions.
Section 2 - Voting
A. Each chapter shall be able to bring an unlimited number of delegates.
B. Each chapter shall have as many votes as delegates up to but not exceeding 15 votes.
Section 3 - The CDM Convention will be hosted by a chartered chapter. The CDM and the host chapter will work jointly to ensure a successful convention.
Section 4 - Only registered delegates and guests will be allowed on the convention floor.
Article VIII
Annual CDA Convention
Section 1 – CDM shall encourage its members to go to the annual CDA Convention
Section 2 – Voting
A. Every CDM delegate at the CDA Convention can participate in the election
B. The vote shall be announced by the CDM President. If the CDM President is running for a national office, the Vice President shall be in charge of the vote. If the CDA President or Vice President are not present, the CDM President shall
appoint a state delegation leader to announce the vote.
C. CDM will vote as a bloc as determined by a majority vote. The initial vote will be open to all candidates running. A subsequent vote will be taken between the top two candidates to determine the majority.
Section 1 - CDM shall offer access to all democratic candidates.
Section 2 - CDM shall not endorse candidates in any contested Democratic party.
Section 1 -This Constitution shall be amendable by a two-thirds vote of the delegates at the annual CDM Convention who are present on the floor at the time to vote is called.
Section 2 - An amendment can only be considered for a vote when quorum (more than 50 percent) of the delegates on the floor is present.
Section 3 - This constitution can be amended by a two-thirds vote of the CDM Executive Board provided that it is also accepted by a two-thirds vote at the CDM Convention.
Adopted Saturday, March 1, 2003
Last amended April 9, 2005
