ARTICLE I NAME AND AFFILIATION

The name of this organization shall be the Young Democrats of Maryland. It shall maintain an affiliation with the Young Democrats of America.

ARTICLE II PURPOSE

It shall be the purpose of this organization to stimulate in young people an active interest in governmental affairs. This will include examining issues, learning political techniques, develop leadership skills and contributing to the growth and leadership of the Democratic Party and to effect needed change in the political and governmental system.

ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP

1. Any registered Democrat who has not yet reached his or her fortieth birthday, and who resides or works in the State of Maryland, is eligible for membership in the YDM.


2. In order to be a member of the YDM, an individual must meet the requirements for and join a local geographic or educational club, or must join as an at-large member of the YDM.
3. Interested Democrats who meet the requirements specified in Article III, but who do not have enough persons in their geographical or educational area to form a club may become an at-large member of the YDM.


4. Local clubs may provide in their governing documents for associate or honorary status, and such provisions may include persons over forty years of age. However such persons shall not be allowed to vote in club matters, or to hold office.


5. Membership lists shall not be divulged to anyone outside of the executive board without the consent of the Assembly.

ARTICLE IV

The Young Democrats of Maryland shall be a federation of local clubs. Each member in good standing of a local club shall be considered a member of the Young Democrats of Maryland.

1. In order to be recognized within the YDM, each local club shall submit:
   
   
   
   1. Copy of the bylaws of the local club.
   
   
   2. List of all members including name, address, DOB, phone number and e-mail address. This is to be updated in the odd number years or by the request of the executive board.

   
   


2. Local clubs must hold a minimum of six meetings annually in different calendar months.


3. The local executive board shall set dues.


4. Local clubs may be organized as geographical or educational.
   
   
   
   1. A geographical club shall consist of the area covered by a county or a larger organizational district, and club members must be residents of or be employed in that area.
   2. An educational club shall consist of the students of any high school college or university certified by the Maryland State Board of Higher Education. Educational club members may also be voting members in their prospective geographic club.
   
   
   
   

ARTICLE V EXECUTIVE BOARD

1. There shall be an Executive Board, composed of the elected and appointed officers of the YDM, whose duties are enumerated as follows:
   

   1. President - who shall serve as the chief executive officer of the YDM; who shall call and preside at meetings of the assembly and Executive Board; who shall, with the advice and consent of the Assembly appoint a Parliamentarian, General Counsel, Directors and members of the advisory committee. Shall plan a program of media coverage and shall see to the publication of a newsletter.
   
   
   2. Executive Vice-President - who shall be an ex-officicio member of all committees; who shall be the Chairperson of the Bylaws and Standing Rules Committtee; who shall assist the President in the performance of his/her duties; and who, in the event of a vacancy in that office, shall succeed to the office of the President for the remainder of the term.
   
   
   3. National Committeeman/ Committeewoman - shall represent YDM at all Young Democrats of America and Region 2 meetings and shall report on their activities at the next Executive Board meeting. Shall work with the State Central Committees to develop new county and college chapters around the State.
   
   
   4. Vice-President for Programs - who shall plan and coordinate a program of educational, civic, and social activities for this organization; who shall form and serve as head of the Programs Committee; and who shall perform other duties assigned by the President. Shall work with the treasurer to coordinate all fundraising efforts of the YDM and create a fundraising plan by the second meeting of the year.
   
   
   5. Treasurer- who shall be the chief financial officer of YDM; who shall receive designated funds and shall deposit them in an account in the name of the "Young Democrats of Maryland, Inc." in an accredited banking institution within twenty days of their receipt; who shall within twenty days pay by check all disbursements, with those over $250 duly authorized by the Executive Board; who shall keep a written report of all receipts and disbursements; who shall submit a detailed report to the annual budget to the assembly for approval at the first meeting after the convention.
   6. Secretary - who shall keep and publish the minutes of all Assembly meetings; who shall maintain a current directory of all YDM officers, local club presidents and members; who shall maintain the YDM list serve and send out meeting notices and information from the county presidents or YDA.
   
   
   7. Communications Director - who will work with the secretary and shall post messages and updates on the YDM website and send out weekly information to the YDM list serve after approval of the president or vice president. Shall create a plan to maximize press coverage for YDM by utilizing press releases and developing a message concerning the current issues.
   
   
   8. Political and legislative Director- who shall organize voter registration and get out the vote drives; arrange for training in campaign techniques; urge participation in campaigns; bring to the attention of the YDM such issues as are pertinent and deserving of attention; who shall coordinate efforts to make the YDM position known through lobbying campaigns.
   
   
   9. Sergeant of Arms - who shall advise the President as to the proper conduct of meetings following Robert Rules of Order.
   
   
   10. General Counsel - who shall advise the President on all legal matters involving the YDM and review all contracts entered into by the YDM
   11. College Democrat Committeeperson - Shall represent the Maryland CYD at all CYD of America National Committee meetings and shall serve as the chair of the CYD of Maryland. They should be elected annually at the convention by the College Caucus and shall be voting members of the Executive Board.
   
   
   
   


2. The elected officers described in Article V, sections A 1-5 shall serve for a term of one year from their election to that of their successors. The directors and other named in Sections 6-9 shall be appointed and may be removed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Board. In appointing the positions named in Sections A 6-9 the President shall strive to achieve racial, sexual, and geographical equity on the Executive Board.


3. Any member of the Executive Board who has missed two meetings of the Board, without an excuse, shall be presumed to have resigned, and shall be notified in writing of this provision.


4. When any vacancy occurring among the Executive Board is to be filled, the members of the Board shall be informed in writing ten days in advance of the next meeting. If the office of President is vacated said the Executive Vice-President should fill vacancy. The President shall appoint persons to fill any other vacant office for the duration of the term by and with the consent of the Board.
5. Each director is required to present their plan of action for the year by or at the February Assembly meeting, and report on their progress at each Assembly meeting.


6. Officers of the YDM are subject to impeachment and removal from the office by the Executive Board for malfeasance, or nonfeasance of assigned duties or for the convictions of high crimes and misdemeanors.

ARTICLE VI THE ASSEMBLY

1. There shall be an Assembly, which shall be composed of the elected officers and the President or representative from each local or geographical club.
2. The Assembly shall constitute the governing body of the YDM.


3. The Assembly shall meet at least six times annually in different calendar months at the call of the President.


4. Attendance of at least one representative from forty percent of the chartered local clubs, and forty percent of the elected officers shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business.

ARTICLE VII ADVISORY COMMITTEE

There shall be an Advisory Committee composed of Young Democratic elected officials. The Committee shall act in an advisory capacity, and shall be appointed by the President, by and with the consent of the Assembly, to a two-year term of office.

ARTICLE VIII CONVENTION

1. There shall be a Convention held annually in January or February at a time and place to be decided by the Assembly. Notice of the Convention shall be sent at least one month in advance of the Convention to each local club President.


2. Each local club must have submitted a charter by or on the day of the convention in order to have delegates.
3. Each club shall be permitted one vote for each allotted delegate at the Convention not to exceed forty. No proxy voting shall be permitted. Representatives from at least sixty percent of the clubs registered shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE IX FUNDRAISING EVENTS

There shall be at least one major fundraiser held at a time and place organized and directed by the Treasurer and the Vice President of Programs with the advice and consent of the Assembly.

ARTICLE X CAUCUSES

1. There shall be a College Young Democrats Caucus, which shall be the official college adjunct of the YDM. The Caucus shall establish any Bylaws necessary to its operation, with the consent of the Assembly.


2. There shall be a Minority Young Democratic Caucus, which shall serve as the official minority adjunct of the YDM. Black, Hispanic, Native and Asian American who are members of the YDM shall be members of the Caucus, who shall establish its own bylaws, with the consent of Assembly.


3. There shall be a Women's Young Democratic Caucus, which shall serve as the official women's adjunct of the YDM. Women who are members of the YDM shall be members of the Caucus, which shall establish its own Bylaws, with the consent of the Assembly.

ARTICLE XI PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall be the parliamentary authority of the YDM in its entirety, except when it shall conflict with the Bylaws, or the Standing Rules.