Young Democratic Socialists of America at Durham School of the Arts 

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I: NAME, AFFILIATION, AND RATIFICATION

1. The name of the organization shall be Young Democratic Socialists of America at Durham School of the Arts, hereafter referred to as “the Chapter” or “Y Double DSA.”

2. The Chapter shall be the Durham School of the Arts chapter of Young Democratic Socialists of America, the youth wing of Democratic Socialists of America.

3. This Constitution shall be ratified by at least a two-thirds (⅔) vote of all people at the first meeting of Y Double DSA after the interest meeting. Anyone at this meeting may vote, including all students, teachers, and faculty members. Once this Constitution has been ratified by a proper vote, members in attendance of the meeting in which this Constitution is ratified may choose to sign their name on the final page which shall be kept safely alongside the rest of this document by the SC.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE & MISSION STATEMENT

1. Our mission is to educate and organize students and teachers and to play a helpful and principled role in the movement for social justice, global peace, and local change. Within and throughout this struggle, we will articulate and defend the idea that true human liberation is impossible under capitalism. We seek social change which extends democracy into all aspects of life – social, political and economic. Our vision of socialism is profoundly democratic, feminist, and anti-racist. We will make our voices heard and we will make our actions seen.

2. The Chapter should be inclusive as possible, bringing in multiple grade levels - including middle and high schoolers - and ethnic communities that go to Durham School of the Arts. Fresh posters should be put up at least once every other semester to promote the club and our ideals to the various communities of Durham School of the Arts.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

1. Membership in the organization shall be open to any member of the campus community, including students, faculty, and staff, at Durham School of the Arts.

2. Eligibility for membership or appointed or elected student officer positions in this organization may not be limited on the basis of race, sex, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, physical or mental handicap, ancestry, or medical condition.

3. Membership is defined by dues-paying - or dues-waiver-holding - Democratic Socialists of America members who have attended at least two (2) meetings during the semester of membership.

   1. For new semesters, voting rights can carry over for members of the previous semester within the first five (5) meetings.

   2. Any person who is not a United States citizen who wishes to be a member can do so without the requirement for paying dues. Any non-citizen member must still meet the rest of the criteria laid out in other sections of Article III: Membership, and respect the rest of the rules and regulations laid out in this constitution.

   3. Those in the club who do not pay dues can still participate in any actions, protests, and events as they wish, they are just considered participants rather than members. Membership gives the right to the ability to run for office as well as the ability to vote on various issues put forward by other members and the SC.

4. For the first semester in which this constitution is enacted (Spring 2024), all club participants may act as if they are members until leadership is elected, at which point Article III: Membership part three (3) takes precedent

ARTICLE IV: STEERING COMMITTEE & DUTIES

1. The Steering Committee (SC) shall be composed of two (2) Co-Chairs, one (1) Vice-Chair, one (1) Secretary, one (1) Treasurer.

2. To be eligible for the Steering Committee, candidates must be official  members of the Chapter.

3. Candidates will nominate themselves no later than one (1) week prior to the date of the election.

4. Elections shall occur within the last three (3) meetings of a semester.

   1. For the purposes of getting the chapter off the ground, during the first semester in which Y Double DSA exists (Spring 2024), the election for the SC shall occur within three meetings post-interest meeting.

5. All elections for Steering Committee officials shall be run under an Instant Run-Off (IRV) voting system.

   1. In the event of a tie, successive votes will be held until a winner is determined using a FPTP voting system.

6. The term of the Steering Committee shall last one (1) academic semester.

   1. Steering Committee vacancies shall be filled via special election, to be announced within one (1) week of a Steering Committee seat becoming vacant, and held no later than two (2) weeks after the announcement.

      1. Those elected via special election shall only hold office until the end of the current academic semester.

7. Steering Committee members may be subject to recall by petition with signatures of one-half (½) of the chapter’s membership. Submission of such a valid petition shall trigger a recall election to be held no later than 30 days from receipt of that petition by the Steering Committee. The meeting for a recall vote shall be properly notified to the membership. 

8. Along with the recall process which may be initiated by members, members of the Steering Committee may be removed as a result of a grievance when they have been found to be negligent or mishandle their power and responsibilities.

   1. Unilateral decision making, abuse of power, domineering discussion/coercing decisions in conversations, breaches of confidentiality or discretion and/or any other actions which constitute the need for an investigation into undemocratic behavior fall under the category of malicious mishandling of vested power.

   2. The accused party(ies) of the Steering Committee shall not be present in any meetings discussing their supposed transgressions or the resolutions to follow any investigations they are involved in. 

   3. Membership shall be notified in all cases of a change in the composition of the Steering Committee.

9. The duties of the Co-Chairs shall be:

   1. To facilitate meetings.

   2. To reserve space for meetings, events, and tabling.

   3. To communicate with members of the Young Democratic Socialists of America National Coordinating Committee, staff, and members of Young Democratic Socialists of America’s national subcommittees.

   4. To attend any school functions mandatory for organization presidents.

   5. Support newly elected Co-Chairs via transfer of information and accounts.

10. The duties of the Vice-Chair shall be:

    1. To assist the Chair in their responsibilities and be prepared to be delegated some responsibilities of the Chair.

    2. To fulfill the Chair’s responsibilities in absence of the Chair.

    3. To fill in for other officers in their absence, when necessary.

    4. Support newly elected Vice-Chairs via transfer of information on any powers delegated by co-chairs.

11. The duties of the Secretary shall be:

    1. To take minutes at general meetings.

    2. To send meeting minutes to everyone on the organization’s email list within twenty-four (24) hours of a meeting’s end.

    3. To maintain a list of active members and build an email list.

    4. To maintain a list of all Committees, Working Groups, and their respective members.

    5. To send any email updates written by the Co-Chairs to membership.

    6. Support newly elected Secretaries via transfer of information and email lists.

12. The duties of the Treasurer shall be:

    1. To manage any funds of the organization.

    2. To maintain an active log of the chapter’s income and expenditures.

    3. To fill out school grant request forms when necessary.

    4. To serve as lead organizer for at least one (1) fundraiser per academic semester.

    5. Support newly elected Treasurers via transfer of information and accounts.

ARTICLE V: COMMITTEES & WORKING GROUPS

1. Committees:

   1. Definition: A committee is a group within the Chapter that is tasked with carrying out an internal function for the chapter. There are two types of committees that the Chapter recognizes: Ad Hoc Committees and Standing Committees. 

      1. Ad Hoc Committees

         1. Ad Hoc Committees exist for a limited and explicit duration.

         2. Ad Hoc Committees may be established by a vote by General Membership at a General Meeting of the Chapter or by vote of the Steering Committee.

         3. An explicit and limited set of goals for the Ad Hoc Committee whose fulfillment would abolish the committee must be presented at the meeting and must also be made available to the membership upon request.

         4. Ad Hoc Committees may be dissolved at any time by a majority vote of either the Steering Committee or by General Membership at a General Meeting of the Chapter.

      2. Standing Committees:

         1. Standing Committees are not limited to an explicit duration.

         2. Standing Committees may be established by a vote by General Membership at a General Meeting of the Chapter. A Standing Committee is created by a Resolution passed by the General Meeting that contains a charter that details the purpose of the committee, the powers granted to the committee, and the internal structure and functioning of the committee. Standing Committee charters may be amended by a vote of a General Meeting of the Chapter.

         3. A Standing Committee that has not met for at least three months will be considered defunct. If a Standing Committee is found to be defunct, the Steering Committee will schedule a vote for dissolution of the defunct Standing Committee at the next available Chapter Meeting and notify General Membership.

         4. If the Steering Committee finds that a Standing Committee has failed to conduct its internal affairs according to Y Double DSA bylaws or to have acted in violation of formally adopted resolutions or policies of Y Double DSA, the Steering Committee may vote to suspend all officially sanctioned meetings, operations, and/or business of the Standing Committee until the next General Meeting of the Chapter, at which point General Membership will vote on the question of dissolving the Standing Committee.

2. Working Groups:

   1. Definition: A Working Group is a subgroup of the Chapter that does external organizing. The Chapter Secretary will keep a regularly-updated list of recognized Working Groups.

   2. Working Group Membership:

      1. Chapter members are considered to be Working Group Members if they have attended at least one meeting of the Working Group and have registered their desire to become a member with the Working Group Secretary.

      2. Working Group Members are responsible for executing their respective body’s strategy in fulfillment of its objectives.

      3. A Working Group Member who has been absent for three consecutive regularly-scheduled Working Group meetings and has not notified the Working Group Secretary ahead of time of the absences in question will cease to be considered a Working Group Member.

      4. A former Working Group Member who has ceased being considered a Working Group Member due to absences can regain Working Group Member status by attending a Working Group meeting and registering their desire to become a member with the Working Group Secretary.

      5. Only Working Group Members may vote during Working Group meetings or run for positions within the Working Group.

      6. A quorum of four Working Group Members is required for Working Group meetings to conduct business.

   3. Formation and Dissolution of Working Groups:

      1. General Membership is empowered to create and dissolve working groups by voting to do so at a General Meeting of the Chapter.

      2. Members interested in starting a Working Group shall submit a proposal to the Steering Committee detailing the scope and goals of the proposed Working Group along with the names of at least five (five) members who commit to regular participation in the proposed Working Group, including the member proposing the creation of the WG. If the Steering Committee determines the proposal is actionable, the Steering Committee will schedule for the proposal to be voted on by General Membership at a General Meeting of the Chapter.

      3. A Working Group that has not met with quorum for at least three months will be considered defunct. If a Working Group is found to be defunct, the Steering Committee will schedule a vote for dissolution of the defunct Working Group at the next available Chapter Meeting and notify General Membership. 

      4. If the Steering Committee finds that a Working Group has failed to conduct its internal affairs according to Y Double DSA bylaws or to have acted in violation of formally adopted resolutions or policies of Y Double DSA, the Steering Committee may vote to suspend the meetings, operations, and business of the Working Group until the next General Meeting of the Chapter, at which point General Membership will vote on the question of dissolving the Working Group.

   4. Working Group Leadership:

      1. The leadership of each Y Double DSA Working Group will consist of at least one (1) and at most two (2) Working Group Chairs and at least one (1) at most two (2) Working Group Secretaries. Working Group Leadership terms will be set for one semester, but there are no limits on the number of terms a member may serve in Working Group Leadership.

   5. Working Group Chair:

      1. Working Group Chairs will preside over Working Group meetings and coordinate the day-to-day operations and work of the Working Group.

      2. Working Group Chairs will also act as liaisons to the Steering Committee. Working Group Chairs are empowered to liaise with external organizations on behalf of the Chapter, but they must get approval from Steering Committee to officially act in coalition with another organization for an event or get approval from general membership to officially act in coalition with another organization for a campaign lasting longer than 30 days.

      3. Working Group Chairs will collaborate with their Working Group Secretaries to ensure the timely dissemination of meeting announcements, agendas, and minutes to membership.

   6. Working Group Secretary:

      1. Working Group Secretaries will maintain an up-to-date list of Working Group Members.

      2. They may temporarily assume the responsibilities of the Working Group Chair if the Chair or Chairs are not available. Working Group Secretaries will work with Working Group Chairs to ensure agendas are made and distributed prior to Working Group Meetings and adequate minutes are taken during all Working Group Meetings. Working Group Secretaries will be responsible for updating the agenda and the minutes of all Working Group meetings, and shall have custody of these minutes, resolutions, reports, and other official records of the Working Group.

      3. Working Group Secretaries may delegate the tasks of writing meeting minutes and agendas, but ultimate responsibility for these tasks being completed is held by the Working Group Secretary. They shall transfer official records in good condition to their successor.

      4. Official records will include meeting minutes, member lists, and voting/election results. Working Group Secretaries will coordinate with the Chapter Secretary to ensure that Working Group records are successfully integrated into the Chapter records. Working Group Secretaries will be responsible for making all official Working Group documents available for viewing upon request by any Chapter member. 

ARTICLE VI: FUNDING

1. The organization shall be funded through the following means: fundraisers, chapter dues, contributions and scholarships from Democratic Socialists of America, and any approved financial assistance granted by the school.

   1. As mandated by the national Constitution and Bylaws, the Chapter may establish a Chapter pledge system of voluntary donations for its members. The payment of a Chapter donation may not be a requirement for voting or for holding a Chapter office

2. All monetary transactions must be approved by the Treasurer.

3. The Steering Committee shall maintain a record of all financial transactions and accounts. These records shall be made available at any time by the request of any Young Democratic Socialists of America national officer and will be reported regularly to the membership of the Chapter. 

ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS

1. Regular meetings of the organization shall be held weekly. The day of the week and time will be determined at the beginning of every semester.

   1. Meeting times may be changed by two-thirds (⅔) vote of membership

   2. Meeting times will be determined via an anonymous vote in which members mark down which days of the week work for them (can choose any number of dates). The SC will then select the plurality date and have the secretary email all members on the email list of the newly chosen date (and time, although it is recommended that meeting be for an hour after school on the chosen date) and personally reach out to all members not on the list.

2. Special meetings may be called by the Steering Committee. Votes and elections may not occur at such meetings.

3. Agendas for meetings shall be prepared by the Steering Committee and will be available at the request of members before a meeting.

4. A quorum for any meeting shall be one-half (½) of members.

ARTICLE VIII: POWERS

1. The Chapter shall have committees created if deemed necessary by membership. The formation of such committees shall be approved by a majority vote of the membership at a regular meeting.

2. The Chapter shall operate as a non-profit association and no profits may accrue to any individual within the organization.

3. Unless otherwise provided in these bylaws, decisions of the organization shall be made by a simple majority of those present and voting, with those abstaining from the vote not figuring into the determination of the majority required.

4. For purposes of any vote, the determination of the current eligible voting membership shall be via private ballot (likely a folded index card or piece of paper). Votes will be counted immediately by the Steering Committee in the presence of members.

5. The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Chapter in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with this Constitution, the Bylaws, or standing rules of the organization.

ARTICLE IX: ENDORSEMENTS

1. Electoral Endorsements

   1. Unless otherwise authorized, members or committees of Y Double DSA are prohibited from campaigning as representatives of DSA for candidates or ballot measures that the Chapter has not officially endorsed.

2. Endorsements of Actions

   1. The Steering Committee shall be authorized to endorse activist events, urgent actions, or make statements in support of activist campaigns on behalf of the Chapter. Only members of the SC may officially represent Y Double DSA in public fora.

3. Endorsements of Campaigns

   1. The General Membership in the Chapter shall be the only body authorized to endorse Chapter participation in a long-term activist campaign, where a long-term activist campaign is any campaign that requires ongoing Chapter resources (including ongoing public statements of support) for more than thirty (30) days. 

ARTICLE X: AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

1. This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of the organization by a two-thirds (⅔) vote, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing to the Steering Committee at the previous regular meeting and the members of the Chapter have been given time and enough information to vote on the proposed amendment confidently.

2. To enact an amendment, a quorum of two-thirds (⅔) membership is also required, compared to the regular one-half (½) of membership needed to vote on non-amendment issues.

3. Bylaws may be created or edited by a simple majority assuming regular quorum.

ARTICLE XI: HARASSMENT AND GRIEVANCE POLICY

1. The chapter shall follow Democratic Socialists of America’s Harassment Policy and seek to uphold Democratic Socialists of America’s Code of Conduct.

2. The chapter shall provide a confidential method for chapter members to report grievances, through at least two Harassment and Grievance Officers (HGOs).

   1. To be eligible to serve as an HGO, candidates must be chapter members, receive a nomination from another chapter member, and go through a vetting process.

   2. The preferred names and contact information of HGOs shall be available at all times to chapter members and routinely shared at regular meetings.

   3. The chapter shall appoint HGOs to serve regular annual terms, elected at the start of the year within one (1) meeting of the election for Steering Committee members.

   4. The chapter shall aim to appoint members of marginalized communities to the HGO position.

3. The chapter’s grievance process shall aim to uphold principles of fairness, inclusivity and respect for all parties. The chapter HGO shall document each step of the process and report to the steering committee only when their decision on disciplinary action is necessary and confidentiality can be ensured.

4. HGOs may be removed or suspended from their position by the Steering Committee, and may also be subject to a recall according to the same procedure which affects members of the Steering Committee.

   1. If a grievance is initiated against an HGO, the accused HGO must recuse themself from any ongoing or future grievance cases unless the Steering Committee determines that:

      1. The claims within the grievance accusing the HGO are found to be unsubstantial, retaliatory or otherwise would not require a suspension or removal.

      2. Limited capacity or other circumstantial concerns require the continued participation of the accused HGO.

   2. HGOs may be suspended or removed for misuse of their power as HGO, biased practice, failure to acknowledge all evidence, or other conduct in violation of grievance process guidelines and values.

      1. Membership shall be notified for all changes of HGO membership.

5. In the case of serious or pressing grievance allegations, the Steering Committee may authorize immediate, temporary suspensions of accused members, including those on the Steering Committee or HGOs, which may be overturned, extended, or otherwise altered after an investigation takes place.

6. Prohibited behavior:

   1. Members shall not engage in harassment on the basis of sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, physical appearance, disability, race, color, religion, national origin, class, age, or profession. (Harassment based on categories not encompassed by those listed section (a) will be evaluated at the discretion of the chapter's Democratic Socialists of America harassment grievance officer (“HGO”) and Steering Committee representatives.) Harassing or abusive behavior, such as unwelcome attention, inappropriate or offensive remarks, slurs, or jokes, physical or verbal intimidation, stalking, inappropriate physical contact or proximity, and other verbal and physical conduct constitute harassment when:

1. Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a member’s continued affiliation with Democratic Socialists of America;

2. Submission or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for organizational decisions affecting such individual; or

3. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of creating a hostile environment interfering with an individual’s capacity to organize within Democratic Socialists of America.

 7. Retaliation:

2. 1. This policy prohibits retaliation against any member for bringing a complaint of harassment pursuant to this policy. This policy also prohibits retaliation against a person who assists someone with a complaint of harassment, or participates in any manner in an investigation or resolution of a complaint of discrimination or harassment. Retaliatory behaviors include threats, intimidation, reprisals, and/or adverse actions related to organizing. If any party to the complaint believes there has been retaliation, they may inform the chapter's HGO who will determine whether to factor the retaliation into the original complaint, or treat it as an individual incident.

 8. Reporting Harassment:

1. Complaints:

2. 1. 1. Members who believe they have been harassed by another member may follow the standard Democratic Socialists of America complaint process by filing a formal complaint with the chapter's HGO. There will be no time limits requiring the accuser to file a report within any amount of time after the alleged harassment has occurred.

   2. Appeals process:

      1. Either party may appeal the form of relief determined by the chapter Steering Committee by filling out an appeal form within thirty days of receiving written notice of the Steering Committee’s decision. The chapter's HGO will advise on the process for filing an appeal with the National Harassment Grievance Officer.

ARTICLE XII: DISSOLUTION CLAUSE

1. Should the organization be dissolved due to lack of interest or other reasons, it is the responsibility of the current club president and/or co-chairs to notify the Durham School of the Arts administrators that they have disbanded and provide reason. The treasurer is responsible for ensuring all fundraising dollars go to Democratic Socialists of America and notifying the Durham School of the Arts administrators that any allocated funding left will not be used.

APPENDIX: TERMINOLOGY

1. If something ‘shall’ be done, then it must be completed.

2. If something ‘should’ be done, it is heavily suggested that it is done.

3. ‘The Chapter’ and ‘Y Double DSA’ are interchangeable within this document.

4. The ‘SC’ refers to the Steering Committee.

5. ‘WG’ refers to our Working Groups and ‘CO’ refers to our Committees.