District of Columbia Young Republicans Constitution as amended May 2017 Article I. Name The name of the organization shall be the District of Columbia Young Republicans (hereinafter, the DCYR or organization ). Article II. Affiliation This organization is a member of the Young Republican National Federation and shall be subject to the Constitution and by-laws of said Federation. The objectives of the organization shall be: Article III. Objectives 1. To develop and maintain a city-wide Young Republican organization. 2. To bring young people into the Republican Party; to provide an opportunity for political expression and recognition; to train political workers; and to provide a practical means by which they may contribute in the development and betterment of the Republican Party as a service to the United States of America, the District of Columbia, and its political subdivisions. 3. To support the principles, objectives, and platform of the Republican Party and to work for the election of all duly nominated Republican candidates. 4. To provide educational opportunities which enhance its members political knowledge and contribute to the preparation of election to public office. Article IV. Membership Section 1. Active Members. Active members of the DCYR shall be: (a) between the ages of 18 40, but not over the age of 40; and (b) be a resident of the District of Columbia or work in the District of Columbia (in either case, within the past twelve-month period). Section 2. Associate Members. An associate member of the DCYR is any person who does not meet the qualifications of an active member. Associate members do not have the ability -1-
to vote on or make motions at any meeting, and are ineligible to serve as an elected member of the Executive Committee or chair any ad hoc committee of the organization. Section 3. Honorary Members. Honorary members shall be those persons so designated by a unanimous vote of the Executive Committee. Honorary members do not have the ability to vote on or make motions at any meeting and are ineligible to serve as an elected member of the Executive Committee or chair any ad hoc committee of the organization Section 4. Dues. Dues shall be $20.00 for active members and $10.00 for associate members for the calendar year. Dues shall not be prorated for the calendar year. Section 5. Censure; Expulsion. (a) Censure: The organization shall have the power to censure any member for conduct deemed unfriendly or hostile to its best interests by majority vote of the members present at any regular meeting. Upon introduction, all motions to censure a member shall be laid on the table and all motions to take same from the table shall be out of order until the next regular meeting. No motion to censure shall be taken from the table unless the subject of the motion has been given actual notice one week prior. Prior to calling the question of censure, the member shall by right be afforded the opportunity to present a defense either personally or by representative. Email notification of the motion s pendency shall be sent to all other members of the organization at least one week prior to the first meeting at which the motion can be taken from the table. (b) Expulsion: The membership may, by a two-thirds vote of those members present at a regular meeting, expel from the organization any member for any act or conduct deemed unfriendly or hostile to the best interests of the organization. Upon introduction, all motions to expel a member shall be laid on the table and all motions to take same from the table shall be out of order until the next regular meeting. No motion to expel shall be taken from the table unless the subject of the motion has been given actual notice two weeks prior. Prior to calling the question of expulsion, the member shall by right be afforded the opportunity to present a defense either personally or by representative. Email notification of the motion s pendency shall be sent to all other members of the organization at least one week prior to the first meeting at which the motion can be taken from the table Article V. Officers Section 1. Elected Officers. The elected officers of the organization shall be Chairman, Executive Vice Chair, National Committeeman, National Committeewoman, Vice Chair of Communications, Vice Chair of Events, Vice Chair of Finance, Vice Chair of Political Activities, and Vice Chair of Membership. All officers shall hold office from the conclusion of the Election Meeting and shall serve a term of one year. Neither the Chairman nor the -2-
Executive Vice Chair may serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office and neither the National Committeeman, National Committeewoman, Vice Chair of Communications, Vice Chair of Events, Vice Chair of Finance, Vice Chair of Political Activities, nor Vice Chair of Membership may serve more than three consecutive terms in the same office. A candidate for any office shall be a DCYR active member in good standing for at least 60 days prior to running for office. Officers shall serve without compensation. The Chairman, National Committeeman, and National Committeewoman must be residents of the District of Columbia upon election. The Chairman must be an active member in good standing for six consecutive months immediately prior to the election. Section 2. Appointed Officers. The appointed officers of this organization shall be General Counsel and Parliamentarian. All appointed officers must be an active or associate member in good standing. All appointed officers shall be appointed by the Chairman and approved by the Executive Committee. The Chairman shall inform the membership when any appointments are approved by the Executive Committee. Section 3. Vacancies. A vacancy in an elective office shall be filled by an election of the membership, if more than six months of the term remain. If fewer than six months of the term remain, the vacancy shall be filled by an election of the Executive Committee. In the event of a vacancy of the Chairman, the Executive Vice Chair shall serve as Chairmen until a new Chairman is elected in accordance with this section. Section 4. Removal of Elected Officers. The membership may, by a two-thirds vote of those members present at a regular or special meeting, remove any elected officer for any act or conduct deemed unfriendly or hostile to the best interests of the organization. Upon introduction, all motions to remove an officer shall be laid on the table and all motions to take same from the table shall be out of order until the next regular meeting. No motion to remove an officer shall be taken from the table unless the subject of the motion has been given actual notice two weeks prior. Prior to calling the question of removal, the officer shall by right be afforded the opportunity to present a defense either personally or by representative. Email notification of the motion s pendency shall be sent to all other members of the organization at least 72 hours prior to the first meeting at which the motion can be taken from the table. Section 5. Responsibilities of the Chairman. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the organization and Executive Committee, supervise the activities of the organization, and perform all other duties incidental to the office. The Chairman shall serve as Chief Executive Officer for all Young Republican National Federation functions. The Chairman shall also be the organization s primary liaison between the organization, the DC Republican Party and other Republican organizations. Section 6. Responsibilities of the Executive Vice Chair. The Executive Vice Chair shall be responsible for the administrative functions of the organization including but not limited to the -3-
supervision and coordination of the activities of other Vice Chairs. The Executive Vice Chair shall perform all other duties as assigned by the Chairman. In the event the Chairman is temporarily absent or unable to perform his or her duties, the Executive Vice Chair shall preside and perform the duties of the Chairman. Section 7. Responsibilities of the National Committeeman and National Committeewoman. The National Committeeman and Committeewoman shall assist the Chairman in representing the organization in all Young Republican National Federation Affairs and shall perform such other duties as assigned by the Chairman. Section 8. Responsibilities of the Vice Chair of Communications. The Vice Chair of Communications shall record and archive minutes of member and executive committee meetings. The Vice Chair of Communications shall serve as secretary for all Young Republican National Federation functions. In addition, the Vice Chair of Communications shall be responsible for all internal organization communications, as well as all communication between the organization and external audiences. The Vice Chair of Communications shall direct the activities of the Communications Committee and perform such other duties as assigned by the Chairman. Section 9. Responsibilities of the Vice Chair of Events. The Vice Chair of Events shall be responsible for organizing all DCYR meetings and functions. The Vice Chair of Events shall direct the activities of the Events Committee and perform such other duties as assigned by the Chairman. Section 10. Responsibilities of the Vice Chair of Finance. The Vice Chair of Finance shall collect and payout all organization funds as directed by the Executive Committee. The Vice Chair of Finance shall deposit such funds in a depository designated by the Executive Committee and shall keep accounts thereof open at all times to inspection. The Vice Chair of Finance shall render accounts of the transactions and of the financial condition of the organization at each regular meeting and shall submit an annual written report at the January meeting. The Vice Chair of Finance shall direct the activities of the Finance Committee and perform such other duties as assigned by the Chairman. Section 11. Responsibilities of the Vice Chair of Political Activities. The Vice Chair of Political Activities shall be responsible for involving the organization in all relevant political activities. The Vice Chair of Political Activities shall direct the activities of the Political Activities Committee and perform such other duties as assigned by the Chairman. Section 12. Responsibilities of the Vice Chair of Membership. The Vice Chair of Membership shall be responsible for the recruitment and retention of members. In addition, they will be responsible for keeping the official roll of the membership and maintaining the organization s membership database. The Vice Chair of Membership shall direct the activities of the -4-
Membership Committee and perform such other duties as assigned by the Chairman. Section 13. Responsibilities of the General Counsel. The General Counsel shall advise the organization in all legal matters. The General Counsel shall be a member in good standing of the bar of the District of Columbia. Section 14. Responsibilities of the Parliamentarian. The Parliamentarian shall advise the chairman in all matters regarding parliamentary procedure Article VI. Executive Committee Section 1. Definition. The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers of the organization. The appointed officers and the immediate past Chairman shall serve as advisors to the Executive Committee. Section 2. Duties. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for and have the power to conduct the management of all organization activities, however no expenditure in excess of $2,500 shall be made by the Executive Committee unless authorized by the membership of the organization. Section 3. Regular Meetings. Executive Committee meetings shall be held at such place and time as the Committee shall decide and be publicized among all Committee members. Each Committee member shall receive at least three days notice from the Chairman of any such meeting, as well as the agenda of matters to be considered at the meeting. Section 4. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be called by one-third of the members then in office or by the Chairman, and shall be held at such place and time as they or he or she shall fix. Notice of the time, place and proposed agenda of each special meeting shall be given to each Committee member by email not less than 24 hours before the meeting. Unless otherwise indicated in the notice thereof, any and all Executive Committee business may be transacted at a special meeting. Section 5. Quorum. A majority of the whole Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum. Section 6. Participation in Meetings by Conference Telephone. Members of the Executive Committee may participate in meetings of the Committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment that allows all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting. Section 7. Conduct at Meetings. Action may be taken by the Executive Committee without a meeting if the proposed action is provided in advance to each member of the Executive Committee, a majority of members consent in writing, and the writing or writings are filed -5-
with the minutes of proceedings of the Executive Committee Section 8. Attendance. Any member of the Executive Committee who misses three consecutive meetings of the Committee, and does not show cause within 15 days shall be considered to have resigned from his or her office. Article VII. Other Committees Section 1. Standing Committees. The standing committees shall be as follows: Finance, Events, Communications, Political Affairs, and Membership. Each standing committee shall be chaired by the respective Vice Chair of the organization, who shall have the power to appoint members with the consent of the Executive Committee. Section 2. Ad Hoc Committees. The Executive Committee shall have the power to establish any ad hoc committees it deems necessary, and as approved by the membership. The chairman of the special committee shall also be approved by the membership. Section 3. Chairman s Privilege. The Chairman may act as an ex officio member of any standing or ad hoc committee with the exception of the Election Committee. VIII. Membership Meetings Section 1. Regular Meetings. The Executive Committee shall set the time and place for each monthly meeting. Notice of the meeting shall be given to the general membership at least one week in advance of each meeting. Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the organization shall be called at any time by the Chairman, the Executive Committee, or by signed petition of 10% of the active members. Written notice must be given to the membership of the organization at least one week in advance of such special meeting. Such written notice shall contain a summary of the matters to be considered and only such matters shall be discussed. Section 3. Quorum. A quorum shall consist of 25 active members or 20% of the current active membership, whichever is lower. Article IX. Elections Section 1. Election Meeting. The election of officers shall be held on the fourth week in March of each calendar year and officers-elect shall assume office at the conclusion of the election meeting. The election meeting shall be on a business day and at a time, place and date as decided by the Executive Committee. The election meeting shall be announced at the January meeting and be on all subsequent meeting notices until the election meeting. -6-
Section 2. Voter Eligibility. Only active members who have been in good standing for at least 30 calendar days preceding the designated election day may cast a vote at the election meeting or a special election meeting. Section 3. Election Committee. The Election Committee shall be constituted at the January meeting and shall have the power to conduct elections and the final authority on election incidentals, including the authority to determine the methods by which to resolve disputes, not otherwise provided for in this Constitution. The Election Committee shall consist of three active members, each of whom shall be ineligible to run for office of the DCYR in the election for which he or she serves on the Election Committee. Appointment to the Election Committee shall be made from the top three vote getting nominees. Additionally, each member that has been deemed eligible to run for DCYR chairman shall appoint one active member in good standing to represent his/her campaign on the Election Committee. Section 4. Nominations. The Election Committee shall submit a report at the February meeting and the report will place in nomination the names of all eligible candidates for each office. Nominations may also be made from the floor at the election meeting. At the February meeting, the Election Committee shall confirm to the membership the eligibility of each candidate and provide to all qualified candidates a list of all current members names. The list distributed to candidates shall include the phone numbers, email addresses, and mailing addresses of all members who have actively opted for the Election Committee to share their contact information in this manner. Section 5. Ballots. Voting in all contested races shall be by secret paper ballot. No provisional or absentee balloting is allowed, nor shall proxies be allowed. Candidates receiving 50% plus one of the total votes cast shall be declared the winner of a contest. If a majority is not obtained on the first ballot, the two candidates receiving the most votes will continue in a run-off election. Ballots will be prepared by the Election Committee and distributed by the Election Committee to active members in good standing at the election meeting or special election meeting, as the case may be. Section 7. Special Elections. When a special election is called, an Election Committee shall be formed at the next regular or special meeting of the membership. The notice provided to the membership regarding the meeting shall provide details as to the vacancy, and request that eligible members notify the Election Committee prior to the meeting of their intention to run for the vacant position. At such meeting, the Election Committee shall submit a report to place in nomination the names of all eligible candidates for the vacancy. Nominations may also be made from the floor at the election meeting. At the following regular meeting that is no less than 30 days from the submission of the nomination report, each eligible nominee shall appoint one member to the Election Committee and an election will be held for the vacant office in accordance with Section 5-7-
of this Article. Article X. Candidate Endorsement Section 1. Endorsement. Neither the organization nor the Executive Committee, nor any officers in their official capacities, shall in any way endorse or oppose the candidacy of any Republican in a contested primary election. Neither the organization nor the Executive Committee shall in any way endorse or oppose the candidacy of any Republican in a party or auxiliary race. Section 2. Penalty. Violation of this article shall constitute grounds for a vote of censure and/or removal from office by the organization. Article XI. Parliamentary Authority The rules contained in the latest edition of Robert s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern all proceedings except when inconsistent with this Constitution. Article XII. National Convention The Chairman, National Committeeman, and National Committeewoman shall serve as delegates of the chapter at the Young Republican National Convention. The remaining delegates and any alternate delegates shall be elected at the April meeting immediately preceding the Young Republican National Convention. Article XIII. Amendments Section 1. Submission. A proposed amendment to this Constitution shall be submitted in writing by five active members to the presiding officer at any regular meeting. The presiding officer, or his designee shall then read the proposed amendment to the membership, however the reading may be waived by two thirds of the membership present and voting. A vote on the proposed amendment shall not be in order until the following regular meeting. Section 2. Notice. Notice of the proposed amendment and its text shall be included in the written notice of the next regular meeting sent to all members. Section 3. Adoption. Amendments to this Constitution shall be adopted upon a two-thirds vote of the membership present. -8-