The Young Americans for Liberty Constitution

Transcription

1 The Young Americans for Liberty Constitution PREAMBLE: We are the Young Americans for Liberty (YAL). As Americans we recognize the God-given natural rights of life, liberty, and property set forth by our Founding Fathers. Our country was created to protect the freedoms of the individual and directed by we the people. We recognize that freedom deserves responsibility and therefore we hold ourselves to a high moral character and conduct. Integrity emphasizes our stance towards action. Principle defines our outlook towards government. Peace and prosperity drives our ambitions towards our countrymen. We inherit a corrupt, coercive world that has lost respect for voluntary action. Our government has failed and dragged our country into moral decay. The political class dominates the agenda with a violent, callous, controlling grip. And, for this we do not stand. We welcome limited government conservatives, classic liberals, and libertarians who trust in the creed we set forth. WE, as Young Americans for Liberty believe: THAT government is the negation of liberty; THAT voluntary action is the only ethical behavior; THAT respect for the individual's property is fundamental to a peaceful society; THAT violent action is only warranted in defense of one's property; THAT the individual owns his/her body and is therefore responsible for his/her actions; THAT society is a responsibility of the people, not the government. 1

2 ARTICLE I ORGANIZATION. Name The name of this organization shall be the Young Americans for Liberty at Auburn University, hereinafter referred to as the YAL chapter, "the organization", or "the club." I. Mission Statement The Young Americans for Liberty s (YAL) mission is to train, educate, and mobilize youth activists committed to winning on principle. Our goal is to cast the leaders of tomorrow and reclaim the policies, candidates, and direction of our government. II. University Registration The organization shall be independent in its decisionmaking in accordance with the national Young Americans for Liberty organization. The Executive Board will register the Club or apply for its recognition as a qualified student organization. ARITICLE II PURPOSES The purposes of the Club are as follows: To research, study, inform and educate the public, concerning public policy issues, including but not limited to those listed in the Preamble. I To assist in the recruitment and training of students as preparation for future service as leaders in the local community, state, and nation. II To hold and host regular campus and community meetings, forums, lectures, films, conferences, debates, rallies, protests, or other such events to promote the ideals of the Club. V 2

3 To distribute literature and materials that promotes the ideals of the Club and raises money to promote the ideals of the Club. Section V To participate in student government elections, local political campaigns, and initiatives. ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP Voting Members Membership in the club shall be open to all full-time and part-time Auburn University students who have paid membership dues to the national Young Americans for Liberty and remain in good standing with the national organization and university. I Associate Members Associate membership in the organization shall be open to any individual who demonstrates an interest and willingness to support the purposes and objectives of the Club but does not wish to pay membership dues to the national Young Americans for Liberty. Associate members may take part in all activities and privileges of the club, though are not permitted to vote. All membership shall be determined without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, veteran status, handicap status, disability or sexual orientation. ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS. Governance The affairs of the Club shall be managed by its Officers. Officers shall have the general power to manage and control the affairs and property of the Club, adopt rules and regulations governing the actions and activities of the Club, and delegate its authority to officers or committees. I. Positions The Club shall be comprised of an odd number of officers with no fewer than three serving at a given time. This will include; President, Treasurer, and Secretary. Additional positions may be created as is deemed necessary and voted on by the Club. II. Tenure and Elections 3

4 Elections shall be held between December 1 st and January 31 st of each calendar year. Officers must make the names of officer candidates available to all voting members, no less than two weeks prior to the election. Officers shall serve one calendar year beginning on the day of their election. V. Duties of Officers Duties of Club officers include, but are not limited to: President: Preside over meetings Attend University function which require a YAL representative Work with other officers to determine the overall direction of the Club Report to the national YAL organization Treasurer: Manage the finances of the YAL chapter Ensure debts are paid on time Work with other officers to prepare budgetary and fundraising plans Secretary: Act as a liaison between the Club and outside speakers Work with other officers to create a schedule of events and activities. Section V. Removal of Officers Officers may be removed from their position by a majority vote of the remaining officers AND a 3/4 vote by voting members in the Club. In the event of an officer removal or resignation, the vacancy shall be filled by an appointment made by the remaining officers. V. Meetings. The Club shall have meetings no less than once a month and more often as the Club officers deem necessary. ARTICLE V - BOOKS AND RECORDS 4

5 . Books and Records The Club shall keep correct and complete books and records of financial accounts, and also shall keep minutes of the proceedings of its membership meetings. ARTICLE VI - AMENDMENTS Section 1. Amendments to Constitution This Constitution may be altered, or amended and new Bylaws may be adopted by the affirmative vote of 67% or higher of the officers and 75% or higher of all voting members in attendance. Officers wishing to amend the Constitution must inform all members of a vote no less than two weeks prior to the vote. I. Club Requirements Regardless of changes to the Constitution, the following must remain: At least three officer positions, comprised of President, Treasurer, and Outreach Director, must exist. Officer elections must be held between December 1 st and January 31 st of each calendar year with officers serving for one year. The chapter shall operate independently but maintain good standing with the national Young Americans for Liberty organization. 5

6 The Young Americans for Liberty Bylaws ARTICLE I MEMBERSHIP Any person seeking membership in YAL shall be required to submit a name, signature and school address to the coordinator. This may be performed at any formal meeting. I Members shall enjoy the rights of voting on the business of the organization. Members are also permitted to obtain the materials forwarded by the national YAL organization. Each member is encourage to follow the mission of YAL and to participate in all event, meetings, and general activities of YAL. II The resignation of any member should be accompanied by removal of the resigning member from the current roster. This should occur between the Coordinator and the resigning member. Expulsion of a member is extremely discouraged. However, expulsion of a member may occur after two members have offered justification for the expulsion at any meeting and before the general membership and only after ninety percent of those members present (assuming a quorum is present) has voted to expel the member. The member to be expelled shall be granted an opportunity to defend their membership before such a vote is allowed. V There will be no dues collected for membership. ARTICLE II OFFICER DUTIES Coordinator (president) The role of the Coordinator shall be to facilitate communication within (i.e. other officers, general membership) and outside of the organization. The Coordinator shall be present to lead official business, formal meetings and officer s meetings ensuring that the dialogue within the organization remains focused. The Coordinator shall maintain contact with the national Young Americans for Liberty organization as well as with 6

7 necessary contacts within Auburn University. The Coordinator shall assume the title of president when such a representative is requested from outside the organization. I Vice Coordinator The specific role of the Vice Coordinator shall be to assist the Coordinator with his or her duties. When the Coordinator is unavailable to lead official business or formal meetings, the Vice Coordinator will act in the stead. II Secretary The role of the Secretary shall be to direct and manage all activities held by the organization. They shall be in charge of soliciting activism ideas from the membership as well as coordinating the steps necessary to realize such activities. The Secretary shall delegate additional responsibilities to other members as needed. Additionally, they shall be responsible for recording all the minutes of the organization and maintaining a record of such minutes. At the end of the spring semester, the Secretary shall compile all minutes and create a record of all events and activities of YAL from the academic year. With the addition of the Treasurer s record of financial transactions from the academic year, this shall comprise the End of Year Report. V Treasurer The role of the Treasurer shall be to direct and manage all fundraising efforts held by the organization. They shall be in charge of soliciting fundraising ideas from the membership as well as coordinating the steps necessary to realize such ideas. The Treasurer shall delegate additional responsibilities to other members as needed. Additionally, the Treasurer shall assume the role of a treasurer for the organization by negotiating all financial matters. They must complete all tasks necessary to enforce Article VI of the Young Americans for Liberty Bylaws. In addition to the Advisor, the Treasurer shall be listed on the organization s checking account and these two shall be the only persons permitted to use the checking account. ARTICLE III ELECTION OF OFFICERS 7

8 Elections shall be held between December 1st and January 31st of each calendar year. Officers must make the names of officer candidates available to all voting members, no less than two weeks prior to the election. Officers shall serve one calendar year beginning on the day of their election. I To be nominated, a member seeking office should verbally submit his/her nomination to the senior officers at the first meeting of the fall semester. Alternatively, a member may be nominated in the same way by another member with the nominated member s consent. Nominees shall only be those persons who are willing and academically able to serve both fall and spring semesters of the academic year. II Members who are running for office must justify their nomination before the general membership with a speech that lists appropriate qualifications for the desired office. V Officers must be elected by a simple majority of those members present (assuming a quorum is present) and by secret ballot. Section V If an officer decides to step down from an office or is no longer enrolled, a special election will be held at a special or formal meeting following the departure of the officer. In the instance where a senior officer is no longer able to serve in their position, the junior officer will assume the senior officer s position and the special election will determine the new junior officer. Notification of the election will be given as an update to the membership no later than seven days before the election is to be held. The nomination process and the voting process will proceed as in a normal election. ARTICLE IV ADVISOR An advisor shall be selected by unanimous vote of the officers. Nominees may be submitted by any member. The advisor s term shall last from the beginning of the current fall semester to the beginning of the subsequent fall 8

9 semester. Evaluation of the advisor will occur at the end of the spring semester to determine if the advisor should remain for the subsequent fall semester. ARTICLE V COMMITTEES No committees exist at the creation of this constitution. Addition of future committees may occur under unanimous vote of the officers. The function and purpose of such committees shall be described under this section. I This section should include how members are selected to committees. ARTICLE VI FINANCES With regard to the finances of YAL, records shall be kept documenting all transactions including receipts and invoices for fundraising and expenses. The Treasurer shall act in this capacity. At the termination of the spring semester, the Treasurer shall have itemized all financial transactions and reported such to the other officers with the Vice Coordinator s minutes in the End of Year Report. All checks and withdrawals from the organization s checking account must be approved by the Coordinator (president) and/or Treasurer as well as the advisor of the organization. ARTICLE VII PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY This organization shall be governed by Robert s Rules of Order. ARTIVLE VIII AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS Bylaws may be amended by proposing in writing and reading the change at a general meeting of the membership and then bringing the proposed change up for a vote at the next general meeting with 2/3 majority vote of the membership present (a quorum being present). 9