The name of the organization shall be the Young Democrats of Hawai’i (hereinafter referred to in the Constitution as “YDH”)
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
The YDH shall strive to:
- Stimulate in young people an active interest in governmental affairs;
- Promote their involvement in the political process;
- Increase the political strength of young people; and
- Provide the highest degree of social justice and equal opportunity for Hawai’i’s people.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERS
Section 1: Membership Qualifications
Any person under thirty-six (36) years of age, who professes and demonstrates allegiance to the principles of the Democratic Party, shall be eligible for membership, provided they have not registered as a member of another political party.
Section 2: Non-Discrimination
The YDH and any of its chapters shall not discriminate in the any proceeding on account of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation.
Section 3: Liability
Members of the YDH shall not be liable for the debts or actions of the organization except to the extent of any unpaid portion of their respective dues, nor shall YDH be liable for any unauthorized acts of any of its officers unless so ratified by the YDH Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV: CONVENTIONSSection 1: Purpose and Time of Biennial State Convention
The YDH shall assemble in a state convention biennially for the purpose of guiding the statewide activities of the organization, formulating a YDH Legislative Platform, considering constitutional amendments, electing new directors of the YDH Board of Directors, and transacting any other business which may properly come before the state body. The state convention shall be held during the months of May, June, or July at a place and date selected by the YDH Board of Directors. Convention notice shall be given at least sixty (60) prior to the biennial state convention.
Section 2: Voting at the YDH Biennial State Convention
A. Each active member who has registered a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to the convening of the convention shall be allocated one delegate vote.
B. The quorum for all conventions shall be ten percent (10%) or fifteen (15) members of the YDH thirty (30) days prior to the convening of the convention, whichever is greater.
ARTICLES V: CHAPTERS
Section 1: Establishment
YDH may be organized into one or more chapter, each of which shall function as a semi-autonomous organization involving young citizens in the promotion of Democratic Party principles.
Section 2: Chapter Charters
A. Applications. All applications for chartering shall include the Chapter Constitution, Bylaws, or Articles and shall be submitted to the YDH Board of Directors no later than thirty (30) days prior to the UDH Board of Directors meeting at which such charter is to be considered. The Board of Directors may waive this thirty (30) day notice requirement by a two-thirds majority vote.
B. Membership. Chapters shall have no less that five (5) active YDH Members.
C. Chapter Charter Requirements. Chapter Charters shall include, but not be limited to, provisions for meetings, elections, dues, quorum, amendments, and chapter dissolution. Chapter charters shall not conflict with any provision of the Constitution.
D. Charter Approval. The Chapter Charter shall be effective immediately upon the approval of the YDH Board of Directors and shall remain valid for two (2) years.
E. Charter Amendments. Prior approval by the YDH Board of Directors shall be required before amendments to a Chapter Charter are submitted for approval by the chapter’s membership. Proposed amendments to a Chapter Charter shall be submitted to the YDH Board of Directors thirty (30) days prior to the YDH Board of Directors meeting at which such amendments are to be considered.
F. Chapter Representatives. Each chapter which receives approval of its charter sixty (60) days prior to the biennial convention may elect a representative to serve on the YDH Board of Directors. Each chapter seeking representation on the Board of Directors must give notice of the name of their representative to the UDH Board of Directors thirty (30) days prior to the biennial convention.
G. Qualifications. Chapter officers shall be active members of YDH.
ARTICLE VI: OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1: Board of Directors
A. YDH Board of Directors
1. Composition. The authorized number of directors at-large of the YDH Board of Directors shall be not fewer that five (5). Directors at-large shall be elected at the convention. There may be a representative from the State House or Senate to serve as the Legislative Director. In addition, each chapter shall elect one representative to serve on the YDH Board of Directors. Further, the Immediate Past President shall remain on the Board of Directors in a non-voting position for a period of one year.
2. Term of Office. The YDH Board of Directors shall take office at the close of the Biennial State Convention at which they were elected and shall serve until the close of the next convention.
3. Vacancies. The YDH Board of Directors may, in its discretion, elect acting or temporary director and/or officers to fill vacancies occurring for any reason whatsoever.
4. Impeachment. Officers and directors are subject to impeachment and removal from office for misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance of assigned duties or for violation of any law or rule of the YDH.
5. Officers. There shall be the following officers of YDH: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, National Committeeman, and National Committeewoman. Other officers may be required by the bylaws to this constitution. Officers shall be elected by the YDH Board of Directors at the First General Meeting of the YDH Board of Directors.
6. Qualifications. Directors shall be active members of YDH. Officers shall be members of the YDH Board of Directors.
B. YDH Board of Advisors
1. There shall be Democratic Party of Hawaii members to serve on the Board of Advisors.
2. Members of the Board of Advisors shall not be voting members of the organization.
Section 2: Meetings
A. YDH Board of Directors
1. Meetings. The First General Meeting of the YDH Board of Directors shall be held immediately after, and at the same place as, the YDH Biennial Convention. No notice other than this reference need be given. The YDH Board of Directors may determine the time and place for the holding of additional regular meetings.
2. Quorum. At any meeting of the YDH Board of Directors, a majority of directors shall constitute a quorum, and the concurring vote a majority of the members constituting a quorum shall be valid and binding upon the YDH, except as otherwise provided by law, by this Constitution, or by any Bylaws of the YDH as may be adopted by the YDH Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS
This Constitution may be amended at any YDH Board of Directors meeting, whose agenda and notice includes the proposed amendments. Adoption of amendments shall require a majority vote of seated members of the Board of Directors
ARTICLE VIII: DISSOLUTION
YDH may be dissolved at any time by majority of the YDH Board of Directors. In event of such dissolution, all funds of YDH remaining after satisfaction of all outstanding liabilities shall remain in trust, the trustees of which shall be the last duly elected Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IX: MISCELLANEOUS
A. The Rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the YDH in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the Charted and any special rules of order the YDH may adopt.
B. All members of the YDH Board of Directors holding office as of the approval of the Constitution shall continue to hold office until the election of the next at-large Board of Directors.