BALTIMORE YOUNG REPUBLICANS
* CONSTITUTION *
PROPOSED November 17, 1999
Adopted December 15, 1999

The name of the organization shall be the Baltimore Young Republicans, hereinafter referred to as the Club.

The objectives of this organization shall be:
a. To develop and maintain a Young Republican organization in Baltimore City and Baltimore County;
b. To bring young people into the Republican Party, to provide opportunity to them for political expression and recognition, to train them as political workers, and to provide a practical means by which they may contribute in the development and betterment of the Republican Party;
c. To support the principle, objectives and platform of the Republican Party and to work for the election of all duly nominated Republican candidates. The Club, its officers, or its members shall not, as representatives of the Club, endorse the candidacy of any Republican candidate prior to the primary election or nominating date. The only exception is for YR offices at the local, state or national level

Section 1 -- Active Members
Any person who is a registered Republican between the ages of eighteen (18) and forty (40) inclusive, and who resides in either Baltimore City or Baltimore County is eligible for active membership in the Club. New members shall enjoy full privileges of membership, except for the voting privilege, which cannot be exercised until the next duly called meeting. The Club reserves the right to require a person to show proof of age, party affiliation and payment of dues.

Section 2-- Associate Members
Anyone not meeting the requirements of active member status may be an Associate member and shall enjoy all membership privileges except that they may not vote on any Club actions or in Club elections and may not hold elected YR office.

Section 3 -- Honorary Members
Honorary members shall be people so designated by a majority vote of those members present at any regular meeting of the Club. Honorary members shall not vote nor hold office.

Section 4 -- Dues
Annual dues shall be $20.00 per person. Annual dues are renewable on January 1. New members dues will be pro-rated $2.00 for each month remaining in the calendar year at the time of membership application.

Section 1 -- Expulsion
The membership may, having established quorum, expel from the Club by two-thirds vote any member for any act or conduct deemed unfriendly or hostile to the best interests of the Club, provided the Executive Board has reviewed such proposed action and has made a recommendation, and that such member has been notified by certified mail by the Executive Board at least one week prior to the regular meeting. Said member will have the right to present his defense, either by himself or through a representative at that meeting. Expelled members may reapply for membership after two years of expulsion.

Section 2 -- Censure
The membership may, having established quorum, censure from the Club by two-thirds vote any member for any act of conduct deemed unfriendly or hostile to the best interests of the Club, provided the Executive Board has reviewed such proposed action and has made a recommendation, and that such member has been notified by certified mail by the Executive Board at least one week prior to the regular meeting. Said member will have the right to present his defense, either by himself or through a representative at that meeting. Censured members will lose voting privileges, cannot chair committees, and/or will relinquish elected office for the remainder of their elected term.

Section 3 -- Additional measures
Expulsion and censure are the only disciplinary options available to the Executive Board and the general membership.

Section 1 -- Number and Term
The officers of the Club shall be President, Baltimore City Vice President, Baltimore County Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. All officers shall hold office from the time of the meeting following the election until their duly elected successors take office. No officer shall serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office. Officers shall serve without compensation and must be registered Republicans and active members of the Club.

Section 2 -- Vacancies
A vacancy in an elected office shall be filled by means of an election of the Executive Board.

Section 3 -- Powers and Duties
President: The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and the Executive Board, appoint committees, appoint a Parliamentarian, Sergeant-at-Arms, supervise the activities of the Club, and perform all other duties incidental to the office.

Baltimore City Vice President: This Vice President will be in charge of operations, recruitment, candidate support, and all club business within Baltimore City boundaries.

Baltimore County Vice President: This Vice President will be in charge of operations, recruitment, candidate support, and all club business within Baltimore County boundaries.

Treasurer: The Treasurer shall collect and disburse all funds as directed by the Executive Board, deposit such funds in a depository designated by the Executive Board and shall keep account thereof open to inspection at all times. The Treasurer shall render accounts of each transaction and of the financial condition of the Club at each regular meeting and shall submit an annual written report. The Treasurer shall be a member of the Finance Committee and perform such other duties as designated by the President.

Secretary: the Secretary shall take the minutes at all Club and Board meetings and shall submit a copy of said minutes to the Board. The Secretary shall mail all announcements and/or written notices, and handle all secretarial work as assigned by the President. The Secretary or a designee shall be responsible for the publication of the monthly newsletter of the Club and for the development of public relations activities.

Section 1 -- Duties
The Executive Board shall consist of the elected officers of the Club. The Executive Board shall be responsible for the management of all Club activities, subject to the approval of the membership.

Section 2 -- Meetings
Executive Board meetings shall be held at such times and places as the Board shall decide, and each Board member shall receive at least three (3) days notice from the President unless said notice is waived by a majority of the Executive Board. A majority of the Board constitutes a quorum.

Section 3 -- Attendance
Any member of the Board who misses two (2) consecutive meetings of the Board and does not show cause within a period of fifteen (15) days shall be considered to have resigned office.

Section 1 -- Regular Meetings
The Regular meeting of the Club shall be held monthly and the date, time, and location will be decided by the Executive Board and will be provided to the general membership at least one week prior to the meeting.
Section 2 -- Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called by the Chairman or by the Secretary upon the written petition of five members in good standing. The purpose of any special meeting shall be clearly stated in the meeting notice and no other business may be transacted.
Section 3 -- Quorum
A quorum shall consist of three Executive Board members and eight active members.

Section 1 -- Election Meeting
The election of officers shall be held at the April meeting and officers-elect shall take office at the May meeting.

Section 2 -- Nominations
At the February meeting, the President shall appoint a Nominating Committee, consisting of three active members. Nominations will be taken at the March meeting. The Nominating Committee will give the list of valid candidates at the beginning of the April meeting, at which time the President will call for nominations from the floor. All persons nominated from the floor at the April meeting, will have qualifications verified by the committee prior to the election. Only active members may nominate candidates for office.

Section 3 -- Elections
Voting in all contested races shall be by secret ballot. No proxies shall be allowed. A simple majority of the votes cast shall be necessary for election. If a majority is not reached on the first ballot, then the two candidates receiving the most votes will be the candidates in runoff election.

Section 1 -- Ad Hoc Committees
The President, at his discretion, will appoint Ad Hoc Committees.
They may be, but are not limited to the following:
a. Finance
b. Fund raising
c. Membership
d. Political Action
e. Community Service
f. Newsletter
g. Public Relations
h. Hospitality
i. Constitution and Bylaws

Section 2 - Appointments
A -- Committees
The President shall appoint a chairman to all committees.
B -- Senior Vice President
The President, with verification of the election committee, will determine which of the two vice presidents has the most years of membership in good standing, and then will appoint that person as Senior Vice President. The Senior Vice President, shall in the absence of the President, perform the duties of the President, and shall perform such other duties as designated by the President.

Section 1 -- Prohibitions
Neither the Club nor the Executive Board as a whole, nor any officers, in their official capacities, shall in any way endorse the candidacy of any Republican officeholder or candidate prior to the Primary Election unless said member is a filed candidate for office.

Section 2 -- Penalty
Violation of Section 1 of this Article by the Executive Board as a whole, any officer, or club members, shall constitute grounds for disciplinary measures as outlined in Article IV.

The Club is a member of the Maryland Federation of Young Republicans, and shall be subject to the Constitution and bylaws of that organization.

Robert's Rules of Order, Revised, shall govern all proceedings except where inconsistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Club.

Section 1 -- Submitting
A proposed amendment to this constitution shall be submitted in writing by five active members to the Secretary, at any regular meeting, at which time it shall be read to the members. The proposed amendment will be voted upon at the following regular meeting.

Section 2 -- Adoption
Having established quorum, amendments to this Constitution shall be accepted upon a two-thirds vote.