Article I – Name
The name of this organization shall be the Whatcom County Young Democrats (WCYDs).
Article II – Purpose
The purpose of the Whatcom County Young Democrats shall be to promote political awareness and activism, and foster values of equality and social justice.
Article III – Affiliation
The Whatcom County Young Democrats shall be affiliated with the Young Democrats of Washington (YDWA), but shall remain an autonomous organization. Additionally, the Whatcom County Young Democrats will be chartered with the Young Democrats of America (YDA), and maintain an affiliation with the Democratic National Committee of the United States of America (DNC). The Whatcom County Young Democrats shall recieve 1 (ONE) vote on the Whatcom County Democratic Central Committee Executive Board as per WCDCC by-laws.*
Article IV – Membership
Section 1: Membership in the Whatcom County Young Democrats shall be open to any Democrat not younger than fourteen and not older than thirty-five who lives in Whatcom County.
Section 2: Members shall pay dues or obtain a hardship waiver from the Whatcom County Young Democrats President.
Section 3: Any person who meets the requirements of sections 1 and 2 of this Article is a member of the Whatcom County Young Democrats. Voting privileges will apply to those that attend concurrently two or more meetings.
Section 4: The Whatcom County Young Democrats shall not restrict membership based on any personal characteristics other than age or partisan affiliation.
Article V – Officers
Section 1: The officers of the Whatcom County Young Democrats Executive Board shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section 2: The officers named in Section 1 of this Article shall be considered the Executive Board of the Whatcom County Young Democrats.
Section 3: The President, or a two-thirds vote of a quorum as defined in Article VI, Section 5, may, from time to time, establish other offices. If established by the President, these offices shall be filled by Presidential appointment, subject to majority approval of the Executive Board. If established by a vote of the membership, these offices shall be filled by special election. However, special offices shall not out-last the current election cycle. These officers shall not be considered executive board members unless specifically and separately approved by a two-thirds vote of a quorum as defined in Article VI. The President may appoint a person as an acting special officer until an election can be held, if such an election is necessary under the provisions of this section.
Section 4: Any officer may be removed by a two-thirds vote of quorum for misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance. Notice that charges are to be brought must be given to members 7 days prior to a vote. If charges are submitted at a scheduled meeting, a special meeting must be held within 15 days, but no sooner than 7 days.
-Section 5: The term of office shall begin on the day of the second general meeting following the elections.
Section 6: Regular elections shall be held in the month of April or May.
Section 7: Any constitutionally established position for which no candidate runs during a regular election may be filled by Presidential appointment, subject to the approval of a majority of the Executive Board members.
Section 8: All voting members shall be notified of the date, time, and place for regular elections at least 7 days in advance. All voting members shall be notified of the date, time, and place for special elections at least 5 days in advance.
Section 9: Midterm vacancies in the office of President shall be filled by the Executive Vice-President until a special election can be held, which should occur not more than 30 days after the office is vacated. All other midterm vacancies will be filled by the appointment of the President, subject to a majority approval of the Executive Board.
Section 10: The primary duties of the officers shall be as follows:
A. President
1. Act as the chief executive of the Whatcom County Young Democrats;
2. Act as the official representative to the Young Democrats of Washington, the media, and other groups;
3. Carry out the mandates, policies and directives of the Whatcom County Young Democrats;
4. Preside over all official meetings;
5. Maintain an accurate record or all members;
6. Take such actions as deemed necessary to promote the purpose of the Whatcom County Young Democrats as -described in Article 1, as long as not in violation of the provisions of this constitution.
B. Vice-President
1. Perform the duties of the chair in the President’s absence.
2. Assume the office of the President upon the President’s death, removal, resignation, or incapacitating disability.
3. Represent the WCYDs on the YDWA Executive Board in all cases where the president holds another position that already grants him or her a YDWA Executive Board vote.
4. Perform such duties as the President may reasonably assign.
C. Treasurer
1. Collect membership dues.
2. Direct efforts to petition the Whatcom County Democrats and other constituencies for funds.
3. Maintain complete record of all expenditures and all receipts.
4. Perform such duties as the President may reasonably assign, or as are customarily performed by a treasurer.
D. Secretary
1. Take minutes at all meetings
2. Keep a record of all club activities (i.e. any newspaper articles)
3. Research and raise issues of importance to fulfilling the Purpose (Article II) of the WCYDs, and vital to the interests of the Whatcom County Democratic community.
4. Perform such duties as the President may reasonably assign.
Article VI – Meetings
Section 1: The Whatcom County Young Democrats shall meet at the call of the President, and shall meet at least once every thirty days during the calendar year.
Section 2: At least five days’ written or electronic notice of a club meeting will be given to each voting member, including date, time, and location.
Section 3: Failure of the President to comply with Section 1 of this Article twice during one term shall be considered misfeasance.
Section 4: Failure of any officer to attend two consecutive, properly called meetings shall be considered nonfeasance, and shall make the officer subject to removal at the pleasure of the executive board. For the purposes of this section, a majority vote of the executive board can remove the officer.
Section 5: Voting is allowed by members who are in good standing as defined in Article VI Section 3.
Section 6: No proxy voting shall be allowed
Section 7: A quorum shall be a majority of the voting members, one of which must be an WCYD executive board member; or three WCYD executive board members when five or more total voting members are present.
Article VII – Committees
Section 1: From time to time the President or a majority vote of a quorum, as defined in Article VI, Section 5, may establish a committee for a set time and purpose.
Section 2: Participation in committees will be voluntary.
Article VIII – Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern the Whatcom County Young Democrats in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the constitution and bylaws of the Whatcom County Young Democrats, or any special rules of order this organization adopts.
Article IX – By-Laws
The Whatcom County Young Democrats may adopt such bylaws as, from time to time, it shall deem necessary. Bylaws shall be adopted when approved by a majority vote of a quorum as defined in Article VI, Section 5. All members shall receive advanced notice of no less than 7 days that changes are to be proposed.
Article X – Amendment to the Constitution
The Constitution of the Whatcom County Young Democrats can only be amended by a two-thirds vote of a quorum, as defined by Article VI, Section 5. Members must be notified at least 7 days in advance that changes will be proposed to the constitution.
