We, the members of the College Democrats at Southern Illinois University, do hereby authorize and establish this constitution of the College Democrats at Southern Illinois University.

The name of this organization shall be College Democrats of Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Section A. Purpose

1. To increase student interest in governmental affairs.
2. To increase the efficiency of popular government
3. To perpetuate the ideas and principles of the Democratic Party
4. To attract new members to become active in our political party
5. To help inform voters and potential voters of the issues and the candidates in the present elections
6. To register and encourage citizens to vote
7. To collectively analyze and discuss information concerning political issues.
8. To promote the highest degree of justice, social welfare and equality.

Section B. Powers

1. College Democrats at Southern Illinois University shall draft declarations
2. College Democrats at Southern Illinois University shall establish and dissolve committees.
3. College Democrats at Southern Illinois University shall allocate funds.
4. College Democrats at Southern Illinois University may charge dues based on a majority vote.

Section A. Eligibility
1. Meeting attendance shall be open to all interested individuals.
2. A 2/3 vote can be held to prevent the attendance of any individual.

Section A. Membership
1. Executive Officers
a. The Officers of the College Democrats at Southern Illinois University shall consist of a Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary.
i. An individual may hold more than one office as long as they are elected to each office separately.
b. Terms of office shall be the Fall and Spring academic semesters following the election.
c. Officers shall have one vote per motion; in the case of a tie the Chair shall cast the deciding vote.

2. Active Members
a. Any student who has attended at least three meetings a semester with dues paid, if applicable, or is deemed eligible to vote by a majority of the Executive Staff.
b. Shall have one vote per motion

3. Student Members
a. Shall have no vote in the College Democrats at Southern Illinois University.
b. May participate as seen fit by the Executive Staff.

4. Advisor Membership
a. Shall advise the College Democrats at Southern Illinois University to cooperate with all relevant university policies.
b. May attend all meetings.
c. Shall have no vote.

Section B.
1. Filling Vacancies
a. Shall a seat become vacant the highest office holder shall make the appointment; the appointments must be ratified by a majority vote at the next meeting.

Section C. Removal Procedure
1. Removal from executive office of the College Democrats at Southern Illinois University.
a. May be initiated by any active voting member.
b. May be initiated by any officer.

2. Criteria for removal
a. Unconstitutional action
b. 2/3 majority vote by active voting members

Section A. Powers, Rights and Duties of Officers
1. Chair
a. The duties of the Chair shall be to provide leadership and direction in the activities of the College Democrats at Southern Illinois University that will best benefit the organization.
b. The Chair shall preside over all meetings.
c. The Chair shall be the official representative of the College Democrats at Southern Illinois University.

2. Vice Chair
a. The Vice Chair shall assume the responsibilities of the President in the absence of the Chair.

3. Treasurer
a. Shall be responsible for accounting and dispersing of all College Democrats at Southern Illinois University funds.
b. Shall disclose a financial report at each meeting.

4. Secretary
a. Shall oversee membership records
b. Keep meeting attendance
c. Shall serve as Parliamentarian pro-tem.

Section A. Meetings
1. Time and location shall be set each semester.
2. The College Democrats of Southern Illinois University may convene at any place at any time by order of the Chair after giving twenty-four hours notice.

Section A. Officer Elections
1. The date for officer elections shall be set by the executive staff and shall not be less than two weeks prior to the end of the Spring academic semester.
2. Shall be decided by a majority vote of the eligible active voting members.
3. Shall be conducted by secret ballot.
4. Votes shall be counted by the Advisor or an impartial person approved by a majority of active voting members.
5. The Chair shall oversee voting procedure.
6. Election results shall be posted the day of the election.

Section B. Eligibility for Executive Office
1. Must be registered student at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
2. Must notify current executive staff of candidacy no less than seven days prior to the election.
3. No one may shall hold office more than four academic semesters.
4. Write in candidates are unacceptable.

Section A. Expenditures
1. All expenditures exceeding fifty dollars shall have to meet the approval of the active voting members.

Section A. Parliamentary Procedure
1. Meetings shall abide by Robert’s Rules of Order, unless a more informal style of meeting decorum is chosen by the Executive staff.

Section A. Adoption
1. This constitution shall become law when ratified by 2/3 majority vote of the present members of the College Democrats at Southern Illinois University.

Section B. Amendment of the Constitution
1. Constitutional Amendment
a. This constitution may only be amended upon petition of no less than five active voting members.
b. Members shall be notified no less than one week prior to the meeting at which ratification will be considered.
c. The constitution shall be available to all interested members upon request.