To stimulate in the students of WVU Tech an active interest and promote leadership in governmental affairs; to increase the efficiency of popular government; to foster and perpetuate the ideals and principals of the Democraticparty to attract new members to the Democratic party; to help acquaint voters and potential voters with the issues and general election candidates; to provide for our people through quality administration the highest degree of justice and social welfare

ARTICLE 1 – NAME

SECTION 1

This organization shall be named the “WVU Tech Democrats” and shall affiliate with “Young Democratic Club of West Virginia”.

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

SECTION 1

The purpose of this organization shall be:

To stimulate in the students of WVU Tech an active interest and promote leadership in governmental affairs; to increase the efficiency of popular government; to foster and perpetuate the ideals and principals of the Democratic party to attract new members to the Democratic party; to help acquaint voters and potential voters with the issues and general election candidates; to provide for our people through quality administration the highest degree of justice and social welfare

ARTICLE III – POLICY

SECTION 1

It shall be the policy of the organization in all of its endeavors to contribute to the growth and influence of the Democratic Party, to develop leadership among students in the Democratic Party, to increase party responsibility, and to maintain and promote harmony within the ranks of the Democratic Party.

SECTION 2

This organization will not endorse or support the candidacy of any person for any public office prior to nomination by the Democratic Party or in any manner give its influence and organization to the cause of any candidate, other than in a general election campaign.

SECTION 3

This organization will support actively and by appropriate means the nominees of the Democratic Party in national, state, and local elections. Any officer or member of the State Executive Committee publicly supporting another party candidate other than the Democratic nominee shall automatically forfeit their position on the State Executive Committee.

SECTION 4

This organization shall seek, in all of its operations, the advice and cooperation of the state Democratic Executive Committee, and shall be guided by the action of the Democratic Party, in convention assembled, on both the state and national levels. It shall, at all times, exert every effort within its power to maintain and promote harmony within the ranks of the Democratic Party.

ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1

The “WVU Tech Democrats” shall be comprised of enrolled students, faculty and staff of West Virginia University Institute of Technology.

SECTION 2

Any Democrat who is good standing of WVU Tech shall be eligible for membership in this organization. A membership year shall begin the first day of September and end the thirty-first day of August.

SECTION 4

The club shall permit membership without regard to race, religion, national origin or sex, handicap, veteran status, or sexual orientation.

SECTION 5

The club shall elect officers annually.

SECTION 6

Dues shall be assessed to all members in an amount determined by the Executive Committee, but no less than $5.00 per member.

ARTICLE V – OFFICERS

SECTION 1

The officers of the “WVU Tech Democrats of WVU Tech” shall be elected by qualified members of the club at the beginning of April and take office on the last day of classes in the spring term. The officers shall consist of President, Vice- President, Recording Secretary, and Treasurer, Parliamentarian

SECTION 2

Only enrolled student members are eligible to hold office in the organization. Officers must have and maintain a 2.00 GPA and be in good standing with West Virginia University Institute of Technology

SECTION 3

The President is eligible to hold only two one-year terms. Any member is eligible to hold office, other than President, for only two one-year terms in succession, although an officer elected to a vacancy of less than one year shall be eligible for two full terms.

SECTION 4

The specific duties of the officers shall be listed in the By-laws of the club.

SECTION 5

The governing body of the club shall be the Executive Committee comprised of the President (Chair), Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, and such others as determined by the membership. The Executive Committee shall meet at regularly scheduled meetings and at such other times as called by the President.

Article VI – Meetings

SECTION 1

The club as a whole shall meet least once a semester during the academic year. The President shall be able to call meetings of the entire organization when deemed necessary by the Executive Committee.

SECTION 2

Any member of the Executive Committee may call a meeting of the whole with the approval of the majority of the members of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VII – Committees

Section 1

Committees are to be formed from the membership of the club as deemed necessary by the Executive Committee. Committee Chairpersons are full members of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VIII – Elections

Section 1

The Executive Officers are to be elected by the club membership in the month of April for the following academic year.

ARTICLE IX – Amendments

Section 1

This Constitution can be amended by a 2/3 majority of the members present and voting.

Section 2

This Constitution, as written, shall be the governing instrument of the club and no amendment shall have force or effect until filed and approved by the Student Activities Office of WVU Tech.