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, Democratic college students of Massachusetts, do hereby associate ourselves and adopt this Constitution for the Massachusetts College Democrats.
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 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.
Article II
Membership
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, physical or mental ability, marital status, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, national origin, or
ancestry.
Section 4 - No applicant shall be denied membership based on Massachusetts residency.
Article III
Organizational Structure
Section 1 - The CDM shall act as a liason between the College Democrats of America and college
chapters in Massachusetts.
Section 2 - Chapter Affliliations
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.
Article IV
Executive Board
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 comprimised of elected and appointed members. The elected
officers shall be: CDM President, Vice President, Communications Director, Finance Director,
Finance Director, and Membership Director. The appointed psoitions shall be: Legislative
Director, Campaigns Director, and Program Coordinator.
Section 3 - Representation
If there are two or more elected memebers 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. However, this can be overridden with individual cases by a three-fourths
vote of 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 discresion of the CDM
President. A quorum of more than 50 percent of the Executive Board shall be required before any offical act can be taken.
Section 5 - Voting
Executive Board shall be consituted 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.