1.) NAME
The name of the club shall be known as the University of Waterloo New Democratic Party (NDP) club, henceforth referred to as 'the club'.
2.) PURPOSE
To motivate students politically. To represent the New Democratic Party of Canada and the Ontario New Democratic Party on the University of Waterloo campus. To uphold the ideals of these parties. To provide a forum for Democratic Socialism on this campus and in the surrounding community.
3.) MEMBERSHIP
a) Membership in the club shall be open to all recognized members of
the FEDS, and who support the principles of the New Democratic Party.
b) Honourary membership shall be granted to an interested party
(non-FEDS members) upon approval of the same by the executive or
membership committee of the club.
c) Honourary members may not hold executive positions, except as
non-voting executive members-at-large. They may not expend funds, and
may have a voice, but no vote at meetings.
d) Members who hold membership within a provincial or national
political party other than the New Democratic Party may not hold any
executive positions, or expend funds, and may have a voice, but no vote
at meetings.
4.) EXECUTIVE
A. COMPOSITION
1. The club shall have a core executive consisting of two Co-chairs, one Treasurer, and one Communications Director.
2. At least three executive members-at-large may also be designated by the membership or by the core executive of the club.
B. DUTIES
1. At least one of the two Co-Chairs shall preside over all meetings of
the club. The Co-Chairs shall be ex-officio members of all committees
within the club. The Co-Chairs shall call all executive meetings and
general meetings. The Co-Chairs shall handle the day to day operations
of the club.
2. The Treasurer shall keep the account books of the club, shall
arrange for the custody and distribution of funds pursuant to the
executive, and general membership's direction. The Treasurer shall give
a report of the finances of the club at each executive meeting and
general meeting, and have the books available upon the request of any
member of the club. The treasurer shall perform other such duties that
are from time to time assigned by the Co-Chairs, executive, or general
membership.
3. The Communications Director shall keep the minutes of all official
meetings and be responsible for all correspondence of the club. The
Communications Director shall keep a complete and accurate membership
list for the club. The Communications Director shall perform other such
duties that are from time to time assigned by the Co-Chairs, executive,
or general membership.
4. Members at large of the executive shall perform duties that are from
time to time assigned by the Co-Chairs, executive, or general
membership.
C. The incumbent executive shall file a list of the succeeding executive with the FEDS Office no later than April 1st annually.
D. Any executive member may be recalled by power of a 2/3 majority vote at a General Meeting with a quorum present.
E. ELECTIONS
1. All officers shall be elected from the club membership and shall be
FEDS members.
2. At least one of the Co-Chairs elected must be female.
3. The club shall also strive for gender balance among the officers as
a whole.
4. Election of officers shall be by secret ballot and require a simple
majority vote. The vote shall take place over as many rounds as
necessary to achieve a simple majority, with the candidate receiving the
fewest votes in each round compelled to withdraw from competition at the
end of said round. In case of a tie, the successful candidate shall be
chosen by some random method.
5. Elections shall occur at the earliest possible convenience at the
beginning of each term.
6. Term of office shall be one term (four months) commencing from the
day after the election.
5.) FINANCES
A. FEES
1. The club may determine an annual membership fee if it so desires.
The club may also charge fees for participation in some club events.
2. If such fees are levied, they must not be so high as to exclude any
member from full participation in the activities of the club.
3. Pursuant to subsection 2, any or all fees can be reduced or waived
for any member who demonstrates inability to pay, at the discretion of
the Co-chairs, executive, or general membership of the club.
B. The club may be eligible to solicit further financing from the FEDS.
C. The club may also be eligible to solicit further financing from the
New Democratic Party of Canada, the Ontario New Democratic Party, and
any subsidiary of these organizations.
D. Monies received from a source other than that of A and B of this
article shall not involve any obligation on the part of the FEDS.
E. The club may use any means consonant with its constitutional purpose
and its membership, (other than A, B, C, and D of this article) to raise
funds for its program upon the advice of the Clubs Administrator.
F. The club's books may be subject to an annual audit by the FEDS and
shall be filed with the FEDS auditor within five business days of the
request for audit.
G. All cheques shall be signed by the Treasurer and at least one of the
Co-Chairs.
6.) MEETINGS
A. GENERAL
1. At least one general meeting shall be called by the Co-Chairs per
academic term.
2. Upon the receipt of five signatures by a Co-Chair from club members
requesting a general meeting, a meeting shall be called by the Co-Chairs
at the earliest possible date.
3. Voting procedure for regular business at an executive meeting shall
be by simple majority.
B. EXECUTIVE
1. At least one executive meeting shall be called by the Co-Chairs per
academic term.
2. Upon the receipt by a Co-Chair of written request for an executive
meeting, signed by at least 50% of the executive, the Co-Chairs shall
call an executive meeting at the earliest possible date.
3. Voting procedure for regular business at an executive meeting shall
be by simple majority.
C. QUORUM
1. A quorum of 50% of the total membership is required for a general
meeting.
2. A quorum of 50% of the core executive, and 33% of the total
executive is required for an executive meeting.
7.) AMENDMENTS
A. Passage of amendments to the constitution shall be by a 2/3 affirmative vote of a quorate meeting.
8.) BYLAWS
Passage of bylaws shall be by at least 60% affirmative vote of a quorate general meeting.
9.) DISCLAIMER
A. The views and actions of this club in no way reflect the views of the FEDS incorporated.
ALL MEMBERS OF THE CLUB EXECUTIVE ARE TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH FEDS CLUBS POLICIES. A COPY IS ATTACHED TO THE CLUBS HANDBOOK.