In order to promote a better America, with equality, opportunity, and freedom within a just and strong society, we dedicate ourselves to organizing the participation of Democratic college students at Saint Joseph's University. In this mission, we call for full participation of all Saint Joseph's University students, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, physical handicap, socioeconomic status, or sexual orientation.

Understanding the importance of participation in the Democratic Party to the preservation of our values and principles, we, Democratic college students, do hereby associate ourselves and adopt this Constitution as the Saint Joseph's University College Democrats.

Article I: Name and Purpose

A. Name: The name of this organization shall be the Saint Joseph's University College Democrats hereafter referred to in this document as the "College Democrats."

B. Purpose: The College Democrats pledges itself to support the philosophy and candidates of the Democratic Party. Furthermore, the College Democrats declares its intentions to support all efforts to increase the participation of college students in Democratic affairs. To these ends, the College Democrats shall educate and train its members so that they may be better able to:

1. Educate students about the philosophy of the Democratic Party.
2. Assist in the election of local, state, and national Democratic candidates.
3. Affect political change on the local, state, and national level.

Article II: Membership and Meeting

A. Members: Membership in the College Democrats shall be open to any college student currently enrolled in Saint Joseph's University who wishes to be known as a "College Democrat" and who has the best interests of the organization and Democratic Party at heart, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, physical handicap, socioeconomic status, or sexual orientation.

B. Members in Good Standing: Members considered in "good standing" with the College Democrats are those who attend more than half the scheduled meetings per semester and whose dedication and participation in College Democrats sponsored events merits recognition.

C. Members in Poor Standing: Members considered in "poor standing" with the College Democrats are those who attend less than half the scheduled meetings per semester and whose lack of dedication to the organization is obvious by their non participation in College Democrats sponsored events.

D. The College Democrats are to hold general meetings open to all members and interested individuals at least once per month during the school year.

E. All members of College Democrats should be offered, if not presented with, a hard copy of this Constitution for reference and use.

Article III: The Executive Board

A. Composition: The Executive Board shall be composed of the President, External Vice President, Internal Vice President, and five at large members. All positions will be elected once yearly at the General Elections.

B. The Executive Board members shall determine the agenda and policy of the College Democrats and coordinate all activities and events.

C. Change: Addition or subtraction of a position to the Executive Board shall occur when a 2/3 majority vote is attained by the membership.

D. Meetings: The Executive Board shall meet once per week, or more if necessary, while school is in session.

E. All Executive Board positions have a two election term limit.

Article IV: Duties of the Executive Board Members

A. All Executive Board members must maintain active involvement in College Democrats activities and endeavors, and must also maintain an adequate grade point average.

B. Duties of the President:

1. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the College Democrats.
2. Define the agenda of the College Democrats during his or her tenure.
3. Act as the official representative of the College Democrats to other groups and media.
4. Carry out the mandates, policies, and directives of the Executive Board.
5. Preside over all meetings and events of the College Democrats.
6. Attend the annual national convention
7. Oversee and be directly involved in all actions taken by Executive Board members.
8. Serve as President Emeritus for as long as one likes, thereby offering advice and support to the College Democrats post officership.

C. Duties of the Internal Vice President:

1. Assist the President in the performance of his or her duties; including brainstorming ideas and evaluating the progress of the Executive Board and the organization as a whole.
2. Act as the President when the President is unable to perform his or her duties.
3. Assume the office of the President in the event of his or her removal or resignation.
4. Head up all projects which involve internal University communication and publicity.
5. Notify media of events of the College Democrats when warranted.
6. Work to arrange and organize all events mandated and scheduled by the Executive Board, specifically, The Ft. Nicholas S. Rashford, S.J. Faith In Action Speaker Series.
7. Manage the bank account and budget.
8. Manage the membership of the organization.
9. Perform such duties as the President may assign and take on projects of his or her choosing.
10. Be present at all College Democrats meetings and events.
11. Attend the annual national convention.

D. Duties of the External Vice President:

1. Direct outside fundraising and prepare all grants.
2. Contact and be contacted by local, state, and national Democratic Campaigns, and arrange for members to participate in such events.
3. Contact and establish relationships with other Universities, locally or nationally, to offer up and receive assistance.
4. Direct and arrange the philanthropy of the College Democrats.
5. Assist the President in the performance of his or her duties; including brainstorming ideas and evaluating the progress of the Executive Board and the organization as a whole.
6. Perform such duties as the President may assign and take on projects of his or her choosing.
7. Be present at all College Democrats meetings and events.
8. Attend the annual national convention.

E. At large Executive Board Members:

1. Assist the President and Vice Presidents in brainstorming and evaluating the progress of the Executive Board and the organization as a whole.
2. Carry out duties delegated by the President and Vice Presidents and take on projects of his or her choosing.
3. Be present at all College Democrats meetings and events.
4. Optionally attend the annual national convention.

Article V: Elections

A. Elections shall occur yearly in January.

B. Eligibility to run for a position and vote:

1. A member must be in good standing and an active participant in the College Democrats.
2. To run for the offices of President or Vice President, one must be an active member for over one year, and have prior experience on the Executive Board.

C. Those who previously held positions on the Executive Board, primarily the President and Vice Presidents, are expected to work closely with the newly elected Executive Board members and train them during the initial semester of their officership.

D. Secretive Ballots:

1. One vote per person per election.
2. Candidates cannot vote in their own elections.

E. Procedure:

1. Candidates notify the current President of their intention to run prior to elections.
2. The Candidate's nominations are approved and announced by the Executive Board immediately before election.
3. Each candidate for the Presidency and Vice Presidency is encouraged, but not expected to give a speech regarding his or her prospective plans and goals for the College Democrats.
4. In the event of a tie, a debate between candidates can be mandated by the Executive Board, and voting will occur again immediately afterwards.
5. Vote counting and declaration of winners will occur immediately after the election has taken place.

Article VI: Removal

A. Cause for Removal:

1. Cause for removal shall be defined as malfeasance or nonfeasance assigned by the Executive Board, or as ineligibility for Executive Board membership pursuant to Article II, Section A.
2. Cause for removal shall also include grounds found by a 2/3 majority vote of the Executive Board to constitute good and sufficient cause. Sufficient cause may include a below standard grade point average or inadequate event participation.

B. Process for Removal:

1. A member of the Executive Board must charge the officer with the reasons for his or her removal publicly at a meeting of the Executive Board.
2. The officer in question must be offered an opportunity to defend his or herself at that meeting.
3. Afterwards, the officer in question will be asked to leave, and the remaining Executive Board members will debate the issue and put it to a vote.
4. A 2/3 majority vote of the Executive Board is needed to remove an officer.
5. If the vacancy is the President, then the Internal Vice President shall automatically be the replacement.

C. Vacancies:

1. A vacancy shall be declared when a member of the Executive Board resigns or is removed from office.
2. If a vacancy occurs in an Executive Board position other than that of the President, the President shall appoint a successor with a 2/3 majority vote of consent by the remaining Executive Board Members.
3. If the vacancy is the President, the Internal Vice President shall automatically be the replacement.

Article VII: Amendments

A. Procedure: 1. The College Democrats Constitution can be amended by a 2/3 majority vote of the Executive Board with a 2/3 majority approval by the general membership. 2. Amendments may be suggested by anyone in the general membership, but must be sponsored by an Executive Board member to gain recognition and the right to a vote.

Article VIII: Regulations and Events

A. The Ft. Nicholas S. Rashford, S.J. Faith In Action Speaker Series

1. This is to be an annually held College Democrats event and the cornerstone of the College Democrats involvement at Saint Joseph's University.
2. The event will feature officials and leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to faith in their public lives.
3. It is recommended that in obtaining and organizing the event, the College Democrats work through the Office of Government and Community Relations, specifically with the Assistant Vice President for Government and Community Affairs.

B. Campaign Work:

1. The College Democrats are expected to work on at least one campaign during the election cycle each year.
2. These campaigns must be for Democratic candidates on the local, state, or national level.

C. Get Out The Vote Drives:

1. The College Democrats are expected to hold at least two voting drives per year.
2. These drives are to encourage students to vote and should give all the opportunity to register regardless of party designation.
3. The College Democrats are encouraged to co-sponsor and promote these events, as well as others, with the College Republicans.

D. The College Democrats of America National Convention:

1. The President and Vice Presidents of the College Democrats are encouraged and expected to be present at the CDA annual convention held in Washington D.C. every February.
2. This convention should be included in the annual budgetary expenses of the group, and provides the College Democrats with valuable networking and experiences.

E. Philanthropy:

1. The University requires each organization to take part in some type of philanthropy for their betterment.
2. The College Democrats will choose the type of philanthropy they wish to take part in every January with the inauguration of each new administration.
3. Several options for the philanthropy will be chosen by the Executive Board and one will officially be selected by a 2/3 majority vote of the general membership. Organization members may take part in more than one type of philanthropy, however.
4. The frequency with which the group participates in their chosen philanthropy is to be arranged and organized by the Executive Board members.
5. All philanthropy is to be logged on the SJU Student Life website.