CHARTER FOR THE GREATER BOSTON CHAPTER

OF THE YOUNG DEMOCRATS OF MASSACHUSETTS

Article 1: Organizational Structure and Statement of Purpose

Section 1-1: Organization

The name of this organization shall be Greater Boston Chapter (hereafter referred to as
“GBYD”) of Young Democrats of Massachusetts (hereafter referred to as “YDM”), and it shall
be an independent organization of Democrats in the Greater Boston area, as defined in the
organization’s bylaws, under the age of 36 years. GBYD shall be affiliated with the YDM , an
independent organization of Democrats in Massachusetts under the age of 36, as a Chartered
Regional Chapter per the YDM charter; and will be affiliated with the Young Democrats of
America through the YDM.

Section 1-2: Statement of Purpose

GBYD shall serve young democrats in the Greater Boston area as the official local chapter of
YDM and its capacity as the official umbrella organization for young Democrats in
Massachusetts.

The purpose of the GBYD is to

1. Connect Democrats under the age of 36 by providing networking, volunteer, electoral,
and educational opportunities throughout the Greater Boston area,
2. Foster civic engagement by encouraging young people to become involved in the
democratic process,
3. Increase awareness of and participation in the Democratic Party by presenting the ideas
and beliefs of the Party in an open and public manner,
4. Develop young leaders by providing training and workshops to members and other
Democrats,
5. Stimulate dialogue on important issues facing Greater Boston, Massachusetts and the
nation,
6. Support the electoral efforts of Democrats, particularly those who are young and those
who share the values and beliefs of GBYD and YDM, and
7. Initiate and assist in advocacy of legislation and ballot initiatives which further the policy
objectives of GBYD and YDM.

Section 1-3: Organizational Structure

GBYD shall consist of the Board of Directors and general Chapter membership.

Article 2: Membership

Section 2-1: Eligibility

All persons under the age of 36 years are eligible to be members of GBYD if they: 1) reside,
work, or attend school in the Greater Boston as defined in the bylaws; 2) identify with the
principles of the Democratic Party; and 3) pledge to support Democratic candidates. All Chapter
members who are so eligible must be registered to vote within the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, and must be a registered Democrat. These conditions should not exclude
permanent residents who are not eligible to register to vote within the United States and
temporary residents who choose to remain registered in another state.

No person who is a voting member of a regional chapter affiliated with YDM outside of the
Greater Boston area in Massachusetts may be a voting member of GBYD.

Any member of GBYD is also a member of YDM.

Section 2-2: Termination of Membership/Ineligibility

Any GBYD member changing their registration to that of another party or unenrolled (no party),
or fails to register in the Democratic Party after becoming a member, if eligible, shall cease to be
a member of GBYD. Members who temporarily leave the Boston area for military service,
education, political activity, or other endeavors of limited duration, may choose to remain
members of GBYD, so long as they continue to be registered in the Democratic Party, where
possible.

Section 2-3: Dues

Membership dues may be solicited, with the following conditions and restrictions: 1) any such
requirement must be included as part of the bylaws of GBYD; and 2) no person otherwise
eligible for Chapter membership shall be denied membership on the basis of their ability to pay
dues.

Section 2-4: Voting Members

Voting Members shall be those members who have attended at least one (1) meeting or other
official Chapter event in the previous calendar year, and meet the requirements of membership.
This clause shall not limit the ability to vote or seek office in the Chapter’s first official member
convention, but will be in full effect and force thereafter.

Article 3: Officers of YDM

Section 3-1: Eligibility

Any person serving on the Board of Directors of GYBD must fit the qualifications of a Voting
Member.

Section 3-2: Board of Directors

Membership on the Board of Directors shall consist of the Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer,
Secretary, and Membership & Outreach Director. No person may simultaneously hold more
than one of these offices.

Section 3-3: Elections

Officers shall be elected annually by the membership within 30 days before or after the YDM
Annual Convention each year.

Officers shall be elected by majority vote through secret ballot. If a majority is not achieved on
the first ballot, the candidate with the least number of votes shall be dropped from the balloting,
and another round of ballots shall be cast until one person receives a majority of the vote.

Section 3-4: Duties and Responsibilities

The Board of Directors shall meet monthly to discuss any business pending before GBYD. All
officers shall participate in chapter events and are encouraged to participate in events sponsored
by the state board. The board may also choose a certain number of members to form committees
as needed to better carry out the business of GBYD.

1. The chair shall

a. preside at all board meetings, general meetings, conventions, and events
sponsored by GBYD
b. set the time, place, and agenda for such meetings, in consultation with the rest
of the board
c. act as the official spokesperson of the Chapter
d. serve as GBYD’s representative on the YDM Board or appoint a proxy
e. oversee the overall functions and operations of GBYD
2. The Vice-Chair shall
a. act as the principal assistant to the chair and preside in the absence thereof
b. fill the remainder of the Chair’s term in the case of a vacancy
c. coordinate and oversee all of GBYD’s events and programming
a. assist the chair and other Board members in the operations of GBYD
3. The Secretary shall
a. take and distribute minutes for board and general meetings
b. handle correspondence on behalf of GBYD
c. maintain clear and accurate records of membership and attendance, and
convey these to the Secretary of YDM,
d. contact GBYD members concerning upcoming meetings, conventions, and
other events
4. The Treasurer shall
a. maintain GBYD’s finances
b. act as a liaison between GBYD and the YDM Treasurer on all financial
matters
c. collect dues in the event they are solicited
d. coordinate all fundraising efforts
5. Outreach & Membership Director
a. Oversee and facilitate all membership development activities
b. Coordinate with the YDM Vice-Chair of Programming and Policy as it relates
to membership
c. Serve on the YDM Membership and Outreach Committee
 d. Work with the Secretary to ensure accurate membership and attendance
records

Section 3-5: Vacancy

In the event that the position of Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, or Membership & Outreach
Director is vacated, the chair shall call a special election no later than 30 days of the vacancy.

Article 4: Activities:

Section 4-1: Member Meetings

General membership meetings or events shall be held no less frequently than every 60 days.

Section 4-2: Member Conventions

Membership Conventions shall be held periodically and announced no less than 30 days before
the date of convening. These meetings shall be the time at which endorsements, resolutions,
charter, bylaws, elections, and dues are voted upon as well as any other business that may
properly come before GBYD. Such anticipated action shall be included in the notice for the
meeting. All of the foregoing actions shall require a simple majority of members present and
voting for passage. The board may, prior to the meeting, invite candidates, public officials, or
other relevant guests to address the membership as part of the meeting agenda.

Section 4-3: Board Meetings

The GBYD Board of Directors shall meet on a monthly basis to be agreed upon by the directors
and publicized to the membership. Board meetings shall be open to all GBYD members, unless
reasons of collective bargaining, privacy, or other considerations similar to those in the
Massachusetts Open Meeting Law require the Board of Directors to vote to hold an Executive
Session. All votes of the Board of Directors shall be recorded; no secret ballots shall be
permitted.

Section 4-4: Endorsements

GBYD is authorized to endorse candidates for local seats in the General Court of Massachusetts
and for officers in the Greater Boston area, provided that the state board has not taken any action
of this kind in a given race. Such action shall authorize GBYD to campaign on behalf of the
endorsed candidate.
1. The Chapter’s representative to the YDM Political Committee shall inform and
seek the input of the YDM Political Director regarding GBYD’s intention to
endorse, in advance of making an endorsement, and report the results to the Board
before bringing the matter to a Membership Convention vote.
2. In the event the Board decides to proceed with endorsement proceedings, a
Membership Convention shall be announced pursuant to Section 4-2.
3. Notice of endorsements shall be transmitted to the state board.
4. In a contested primary should the state board elect to endorse a different candidate
in a race in which GBYD has already endorsed, the state endorsement shall
supersede and nullify GBYD endorsement.
Section 4-5: Policy Statements
Policy statements on timely matters may be adopted by a simple majority vote of the GBYD’s
Board of Directors, so long as they are in agreement with YDM’s Platform and the standing
positions of GBYD and YDM, as voted at their respective conventions.

Article 5: Quorum

Section 5-1: Quorum For the Purpose of Holding Board Meetings

Under the charter, if a notification of at least fourteen days has been given for holding a Board
Meeting, no quorum attendance roll call shall be required for the purpose of holding the meeting
and performing the active functions and duties of GBYD.

Article 6: Bylaws

Section 6-1: Purpose and Scope

GBYD’s bylaws shall serve to supplement this Charter, but shall in no way contradict its
substance or intent. The bylaws are intended to address issues of process not stated in this
Charter, but may not address policy questions.

Section 6-2: Passage and Amendment

Amendments to GBYD 's bylaws may be made by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of
Directors or by simple majority vote at a convention of GBYD members.

Article 7: Promulgation and Amendment

This charter, and any subsequent amendments hereto, shall take affect upon the ratification of
those members eligible and present to vote at a convention called for that purpose. An
affirmative vote of 2/3 of the members present and voting shall be required both for original
ratification and to amend to this charter. A copy of the charter as ratified shall be transmitted to
the Secretary of YDM who shall notify GBYD if any provision herein contradicts either the
Charters of either YDM or the Young Democrats of America.

At any convention of the general chapter membership, provided that 30 days notice has been
given, amendments to these bylaws may be proposed, debated, and acted upon. Such
amendment shall specify which portion of these bylaws it is amending or whether it is
completely new in subject matter. The amendment shall also state when it shall go into effect.
Each time the bylaws are amended, a copy of the revised bylaws as ratified shall be transmitted
to the Secretary of YDM who shall notify GBYD if any provision therein contradicts either the
state or national Young Democrats charter.