About DYD
Mission
The mission of the Denver Young Democrats (“DYD”) is to promote an active interest in governmental affairs by the young people of Denver, to encourage involvement in the political process consistent with the principles of the Democratic Party, to support candidates upholding those principles, and to promote the highest degree of justice and social welfare for the citizens of the City and County of Denver.
Vision
The vision of the Denver Young Democrats (“DYD”) is to have strong, dynamic, active young leaders who champion and foster core Democratic principles in the City and County of Denver.
Constitution of the Denver Young Democrats
ARTICLE I – Name and Affiliation
ARTICLE II – Chartering Policy
ARTICLE III – Executive Committee
ARTICLE IV- Meetings
ARTICLE V – Impeachment and Removal of Officers
ARTICLE VI – Committees
ARTICLE VII – Amendments to the Constitution
ARTICLE VIII – Governing Rules
We, the Denver Young Democrats, in order to promote an active interest in governmental affairs by the young people of Denver, to encourage involvement in the political process consistent with the highest principles of the Democratic Party, to support candidates upholding those principles, to increase the efficiency of popular government and provide the highest degree of justice and social welfare for the citizens of the City of Denver, do hereby establish this Constitution for the Denver Young Democrats.
ARTICLE I – NAME AND AFFILIATION
The name of this organization shall be the Denver Young Democrats and shall be referred to hereafter as the DYD(s). The DYDs shall not endorse candidates in primary elections.
ARTICLE II – CHARTERING POLICY
The Denver Young Democrats shall operate as an official affiliate of the Democratic Party of Denver and also be affiliated with the Colorado Young Democrats, an affiliate organization of the Young Democrats of America. Members of the Denver Young Democrats shall also be considered members of the Young Democrats of America and of the Colorado Young Democrats (with appropriate dues being paid).
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
Active Members of DYD shall be within the age limitations prescribed by the Young Democrats of America. Any registered Democrat living in the City and County of Denver who is between the ages of 18 and 35 is welcome to be an Active Member in the organization. In order to be an Active Member and have voting rights, members must have paid annual dues in the amount of $10.00 per year. The Executive Committee may, at its discretion, raise or lower the dues to a reasonable amount. Associate Members shall be all registered Democrats not within the age or residency limits prescribed for Active Members. Associate Members are welcome at DYD meetings and events but shall not be eligible to hold elective office or vote in DYD elections.
ARTICLE IV – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Executive committee members shall be: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Representative to the Denver Democrats’ Executive Committee, Fundraiser, and Event Coordinator. To be eligible to hold one of the offices, a member must be in good standing with the DYDs. Failure to maintain good standing shall lead to termination of that office. Officers shall serve one year terms; elections shall be held every February.
In the event of a vacancy in the office of the President, the Vice President will become President automatically. The Vice President will automatically assume the office of President and nominate a replacement for Vice President to be approved by a vote of the Executive Committee. In the event of a vacancy of any other office, the President shall appoint a replacement. All replacements shall be confirmed by a vote of the Executive Committee. Appointees to a vacancy shall be confirmed within thirty (30) days of the vacancy.
DUTIES:
PRESIDENT
The duties of the President are as follows: represent the DYDs at public events; appoint vacancies of other offices; preside over meetings; general charge and supervision of chapter operation; arrange officer meetings; and to execute such other duties as may be added to this office.
VICE PRESIDENT
The duties of the Vice President are as follows: support the President; preside as President Pro-Tem at meetings; conduct community outreach; and to execute such other duties as may be added to this office.
TREASURER
The duties of the Treasurer are as follows: maintain chapter accounting with the Denver Democratic Party including tracking of donations and expenditures to DYD; and to execute such other duties as may be added to this office.
SECRETARY
The duties of the Secretary are as follows: maintain communications of DYD, including updates to the DYD website; and to execute such other duties as may be added to this office.
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE DENVER DEMOCRATS’ EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The duties of the Representative to the Denver Democrats’ Executive Committee are as follows: act as a liaison between DYD and the Denver Democrats; act as a member of the Denver Democrats Executive Committee; and to execute such other duties as may be added to this office.
FUNDRAISER
The duties of the Fundraiser are as follows: fundraise from individual donors; work with other Executive Committee members to create fundraising opportunities; and to execute such other duties as may be added to this office.
EVENT COORDINATOR
The duties of the Event Coordinator are as follows: plan community events for DYD other than monthly meetings; work with Fundraiser on ideas for events related to fundraising; and to execute such other duties as may be added to this office.
ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS
Meetings of DYD shall be held monthly, on the second Tuesday of every month. This meeting date may be altered by a majority vote of the Executive Committee so long as a reasonable time (not less than one week) exists for notification of DYD members. The goal of DYD is to hold consistent monthly meetings.
In addition, the Executive Committee of the DYDs shall meet on a consistent monthly basis. At the time of elections, the Executive Committee shall set their monthly meeting times for the term of office.
ARTICLE V: REMOVAL AND IMPEACHMENT OF OFFICERS
Officers who are not in good standing or not performing the duties outlined herein may be removed by a majority vote of the Executive Committee. The removed officer may appeal to the Chair of the Democratic Party of Denver.
ARTICLE VI: COMMITTEES
The DYDs may decide as a body or an executive committee to form sub committees with specific purposes, defined by the Executive Committee. Members of these committees are appointed by the President and, if needed, DYD Active Members will elect Chairs to these committees.
ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
The Executive Committee may, from time to time, suggest changes or amendments to this Constitution. Any changes or amendments must be recommended by a majority of the Executive Committee and ratified by a vote of the Active Members of DYD at the next DYD regularly scheduled monthly meeting.
ARTICLE VIII: GOVERNING RULES
If there is anything not covered by this Constitution, the DYDs will default to the Rules of the Democratic Party of Denver.