Our Constitution

I.  Name

The College Democrats at UMass Lowell, Student Chapter 

II. Purpose

The College Democrats at UML, Student Chapter will exist to promote the civic involvement of young Democratic voices. 

III. Membership

  1. Membership in this club shall be open to all Undergraduate University of Massachusetts Lowell students who pay the Student Activities Fee. To be an active member, one must attend at least half of the general body meetings during each semester and participate in at least one club event a semester. Active members will have priority on all club-affiliated trips, networking, and speaking events. Active members can participate in all of the club’s democratic proceedings, such as voting and making motions. Active Members must follow the University Student Conduct Code to be recognized as such.

  2. Other university community members may be affiliated with the club as non-voting members but may not serve as officers in an undergraduate organization. 

IV. Quorum Requirements

To conduct club business and hold voting, at least a majority (i.e., 50%) of active members, as defined by Article III, is needed. 

V. Election of Officers

  1. Elections for the Executive Board must be held annually at the end of the spring semester. The Co-Presidents, Chief of Staff, and Secretary determine the schedule and precise date of elections. 

  2. Notification of all club elections should be posted at least three days in advance in the university newspaper and Engage. The time and place must be clearly stated in the notification.

  3. Candidacy for the Executive Board and voting shall be limited to active members, as defined by Article III. No candidate may campaign during official club meetings or events nor use any materials bought with the College Democrats’ budget. No campaign emails shall be sent using any campus email lists.

  4. Each active member, as defined by Article III, shall have one vote per Executive Board position per election. All voting must be done in secret, and candidates are permitted to vote for themselves. 

  5. The platform, manner, and voting process are at the discretion of the Co-Presidents, Chief of Staff, and Secretary. Voting must be free and accessible to all active members, as defined by Article III. The faculty advisor must oversee each election process to ensure fairness to all candidates and active members. 

  6. To maintain authenticity, students must provide their first and last names and student ID numbers when casting votes. The faculty advisor must verify each ballot to ensure its legitimacy. 

  7. The faculty advisor must handle and resolve any dispute regarding campaigning, voting, or the election process.

VI. Executive Board

The Executive Board shall comprise of the Co-Presidents, Chief of Staff, Secretary, Treasurer, Political Affairs Director, and Outreach Director. Additional Executive Board positions may be added at the Co-Presidents’ discretion.

The Co-Presidents 

The Co-Presidents shall act as the leaders of the College Democrats. They will act as the official representatives of the College Democrats to other groups, politicians, the university, and the media, along with the Outreach Director and Political Affairs Director. They will define and oversee the agenda and operational direction of the organization. They will set the organization’s goals and determine the general and executive board meeting schedule. The Co-Presidents have the right to bring a motion for the removal of any member due to behavior that does not align with the purpose or mission statement of the organization. If any member of the Executive Board cannot fulfill their duties, the responsibility falls on the Co-Presidents. The Co-Presidents may appoint members to fill vacancies on the E-Board if a vacancy occurs after the General Election. 

Chief of Staff

The Chief of Staff is responsible for running all meetings and overseeing the College Democrats' day-to-day operations. They are also in charge of enforcing all the duties of the Executive Board. If one Co-President cannot fulfill the duties of the office, the Chief of Staff shall assume their duties. If both Co-Presidents cannot fulfill the duties of office, the Chief of Staff shall assume the office and have sole authority and responsibility to fill the vacancy. 

Secretary

The Secretary will work closely with the Chief of Staff to manage the College Democrats' daily operations and oversee all website and email correspondence with members. They are responsible for maintaining the organization's voting and attendance records and other related records. The Secretary is responsible for and will have sole access to booking rooms and making reservations for all meetings and events. If the Chief of Staff cannot fulfill the duties of office, the Secretary shall assume their role.  

Treasurer

The Treasurer creates and manages the College Democrats’ budget and all monetary concerns. The Treasurer is the final authority on all monetary disputes and may override the wishes of the Co-Presidents, Chief of Staff, and Secretary. The Treasurer will create and oversee club fundraising efforts and control merchandise design, manufacturing, and purchasing. 

Political Affairs Director

The Political Affairs Director is required to contact all politicians, political campaigns, and organizations related to the College Democrats. Along with the Co-Presidents, they must also plan and organize all collaborative efforts, including, but not limited to, networking events, speakers, socials, and volunteer opportunities. The Political Affairs Director will be the primary point of contact for all politicians or political candidates and will be available to moderate and/or lead all political events. 

Outreach Director

The Outreach Director is responsible for creating and distributing all advertising and publicity. This includes but is not limited to, posters, social media, website design, and dealing with the press and/or media. The Outreach Director will have exclusive access to the College Democrats' social media accounts but may give access to other active or E-Board members. The Outreach Director is also in charge of maintaining relationships and reaching out to faculty and other clubs on campus.

VII. Committees/Subcommittees

The Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion shall ensure that the College Democrats at UML, Student Chapter, creates and maintains an organization that fosters belonging and is inclusive of all races, religions, genders, identities, and handicaps. 

  1. All Executive Board members must be part of the committee.

  2. Any active member, as defined by Article III, may apply to be part of the committee. 

  3. Any active member, as defined by Article III, will be accepted into the committee with a simple majority vote of the Executive Board. Any active member accepted to the committee will have the title of “DEI Liason.” 

  4. All DEI Liaisons must be available to assist in handling any discrimination, harassment, racism, or anti-Semitism disputes. 

  5. The Executive Board shall not disband The Committee of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion unless by Constitutional Amendment. 

  6. Temporary committees may be created at the organization's discretion and must have at least three members. 


VIII. Meetings

  1. The Co-Presidents will determine meeting dates, times, and locations. Meetings must be held at least four times during each academic semester. 

  2. Notification of all club meetings should be posted in the university newspaper and Engage at least three days before the meeting. 

  3. The Secretary is responsible for and will have sole access to booking rooms and making reservations for each meeting. 

  4. The Co-Presidents, or a simple majority consensus of the Executive Board, will have the authority to order a special meeting whenever deemed necessary. 

IX. Club Advisor 

  1. An advisor shall be chosen from the University of Massachusetts Lowell faculty or staff. The advisor must be a full-time university employee.

X. Amendments

  1. The constitution of The College Democrats at UML, Student Chapter may be amended by two-thirds of active members, as defined by Article III. Any active member, as defined by Article III, may propose an amendment that will be voted on at the following general meeting. 

  2. Any accepted amendment will be submitted to the Student Senate for approval and adoption. The amendment shall not go into effect until adopted by the Senate. 

XI. Impeachment of Officers

Impeachment of the Executive Board

  1. Any Executive Board member may be impeached by a simple majority vote of the Executive Board. In the event of a stalemate or tied vote, all active members, as defined by Article III, may vote on impeachment. Any Executive Board member whose impeachment is unresolved by the Executive Board may be impeached by a simple majority of the active members as defined by Article III. 

  2. Any motion for a vote of impeachment must be presented to all active members, as defined by Article III. 

  3. Any active member, as defined by Article III, may contest any impeachment decision made by the Executive Board. A simple majority vote by active members, as defined by Article III, vetoes any impeachment decision made by the Executive Board. 

  4. Any Executive Board member must be made aware of the reason for their impeachment and allowed to defend themselves before an impeachment hearing and vote occur. 

  5. An Executive Board member is not allowed to vote on their impeachment. 

  6. At any time, any active member, as defined by Article III, may call for a vote of impeachment of any Executive Board member. Any Executive Board member may be impeached by two-thirds of the active members, as defined by Article III. If the vote passes, the President(s) has sole authority and responsibility to fill the vacancy. 

  7. The Executive Board will not have the ability to contest any impeachment brought by any active member, as defined by Article III, and passed by two-thirds of the active members, as defined by Article III. 

  8. No impeached Executive Board member may be in consideration for nor hold any position on the Executive Board until the next General Election cycle.

  9. The S.G.A. may oversee the impeachment process if requested by any Executive Board member or any active member, as defined by Article III. 

Impeachment of Committee members

  1. Any committee member may be impeached by a simple majority vote of the committee. In the event of a stalemate or tied vote, all active members, as defined by Article III, may vote on impeachment. Any committee member whose impeachment is unresolved by the committee may be impeached by a simple majority of the active members as defined by Article III. 

  2. Any motion for a vote of impeachment must be presented to all active members, as defined by Article III. 

  3. Any committee member must be made aware of the reason for their impeachment and allowed to defend themselves before an impeachment hearing and vote occur. 

  4. A committee member is not allowed to vote on their impeachment.

  5. At any time, any active member, as defined by Article III, may call for a vote of impeachment of any committee member. Any committee member may be impeached by two-thirds of the active members, as defined by Article III.

XII. Bylaws

Any member may propose bylaws. Proposed bylaws must receive two-thirds of votes by active members, as defined by Article III, in order to take effect. All active members, as defined by Article III, must be notified in advance of the pending bylaw change. 

XIII. Hazing Policies

All clubs shall follow Chapter 269 of the General Laws, Sections 17, 18, and 19. This act prohibits hazing; no club shall haze in any way. 

XIV. Governing Policies

The University Student Conduct Code and Judicial Process shall govern all clubs.

XV. Power of Restriction

The Student Senate will have the power to restrict a club’s fund or representative event. All decisions will be made after a thorough investigation by an appointed committee with cooperation from the S.G.A. 

XVI. Ratification of the Constitution

  1. After this constitution has been revised, it must be approved by at least two-thirds of all voting members of the organization.

  2. The Governance Committee must approve this constitution before it can take effect. 

  3. The S.G.A. must approve this constitution before it can take effect. 

  4. This constitution must be resubmitted to the Governance Committee every three years. Failure to do so will result in the organization's status becoming " inactive.” If significant changes are made before resubmitting to the Governance Committee, the organization's governing body must approve the new constitution.