This Provisional Constitution shall govern the Social Democrats, USA--Socialist Party, USA, The Young Peoples' Socialist League, and League for Industrial Democracy until it is revised at the first National Convention.
A. The Name of the Organization shall be the "Social Democrats, USA"(SD,USA).
B. The Name of the Organization's Political Arm shall be "The Socialist Party, USA"(SP,USA)
C. The organization shall be referred to as the Social Democrats, USA(SD,USA); the only legitimate successor to the Socialist Party, USA(SP,USA).
D. The purpose of the organization shall be by democratic means to establish social democracy / democratic socialism within the United States of America and across the world by extending democracy to all institutions, political, social, and economic. The SD, USA domestically works within the framework of the constitutional republic as established in the Constitution of the United States. The SDUSA-SP,USA regards Communism, Fascism, Theocracy, Absolute Monarchy, and Monopoly Capitalism as being denigrating to the inherent dignity of human beings.
E. Affiliates
1. Chartered Affiliates may do business under other names provided they explicitly identify as Affiliates of the SD,USA--SP,USA (for instance, "The Social Democratic Party of Pennsylvania, the Keystone State Affiliate of the Social Democrats, USA--Socialist Party, USA").
2. All Affiliates shall adhere to the Provisions of the Statement of Principles and National Constitution regardless of what name they use for business purposes.
3. No one who is not a Chartered Affiliate of the SD,USA--SP,USA shall claim to be so.
4. An Affiliate may consist of a Single Member provided he/she is seeking to grow the Organization. Each Affiliate of the SDUSA with 5 national members shall be designated a Local.
5. All Affiliates, Locals, and Chapters shall seek in all practical ways to recruit more national members locally.
6. A member or members wishing to be an Affiliate shall be chartered by a two/thirds vote of existing Affiliates during an National Executive Committee meeting.
7. Non-members, and those who have fallen from good standing, cannot apply to be Affiliates.
8. Affiliates, Locals, and Chapters may allow anyone to attend local meetings, at their pleasure, with the exception of those banned from membership because of ideological incompatibility. However, only members of the national organization in good standing can vote on organizational matters and serve as officers or representatives of the Local or Chapter.
9. Affiliates and Locals may not combine or enter into coalitions with those defined herein as illogically incompatible.
10. Affiliates, Locals, and Chapters shall be responsible for providing to the National Office(NO) a report each month detailing with how that body participate in recruitment to the national organization, participated in the projects of the national organization, and advanced the visibility of the national organization. This report shall be in writing, except in emergencies: in which case, a telephone report will be acceptable. The report shall give references to time and place. If a "letter to the editor" is involved, a copy shall be attached. If a public forum was held, copies of fliers announcing the event shall be attached. Failure by any Affiliate, Local, or Chapter to provide a report for three consecutive months without a compelling reason, such as illness, shall result in suspension of voting privileges until current reports are made. It shall be the responsibility of the NO to contact all the members of an Affiliate, Local, or Chapter after failure to receive reports for two consequential months. Locals, Chapters, regional and state organizations shall write Bylaws and send a copy to the NO. These Bylaws shall be in accordance with the national organization's By Laws and Constitution. State Parties shall also file a constitution, which will meet the above requirements.
F. The National Executive Committee (NEC)
1. Each Chartered Affiliate shall be afforded one vote during NEC meetings.
2. The NEC shall consist of one representative from each Affiliate of the SDUSA and each Affiliate of the Young Social Democrats/Young Peoples' Socialist League(Yipsel). In localities where there exists a Chartered Affiliate of both the SD,USA and of the Yipsel each shall have one vote during the NEC meetings. Affiliates of both the SD,USA and the Yipsel shall be accorded an additional vote for each additional 5 national dues paying members. That is, an Affiliate with 1 to 5 members shall have one vote, while a local or chapter with 6 to 10 members shall have two votes, and a local or chapter with 11 to 15 members shall have three votes, etc. No person shall cast more than one vote. There shall be no proxy voting during NEC meetings.
3. The Executive Director(ED) and National Youth Secretary(YS) shall be voting members of NEC.
4. All named national officers shall be voting members of the NEC, except for members of the National Advisory Committee(NAC).
5. The NEC shall meet by conference call, except during the National Convention where it shall meet in person. The NEC shall set its own schedule of meetings in consultation with the National Office(NO). A quorum for NEC meetings shall consist of 10% of all Chartered Affiliates and two of the Named Officers.
6. Prior to the first National Convention and in the case of a vacancy, the NEC shall elect national officers in a manner it sees fit, with the exception of Yipsel officers. The NEC shall select the ED and YS. The NEC shall select a place for the NO, approve major expenditures of the NO, and shall approve its budget. The NEC shall set compensation for all national staff.
7. The NEC shall establish the time and place for the National Convention which shall be held a minimum of every two years.
8. Upon petition of one or more Locals, the NEC may charter state and regional organizations. Once a state or regional organization is chartered it shall charter Affiliates within that state or region in consultation with the NEC. A state or regional organization shall set procedures for regular conventions and the election of officers and shall submit these in writing to the NEC via the NO.
G. The Name of the Organization's Youth Group shall be the "Young Social Democrats / Young People's Socialist League" and shall be referred to as the Yipsel.
1. All dues paying members of SDUSA who are under 31 years of age or who are full time students shall be eligible for Yipsel membership.
2. The Yipsel shall elect its own officers which shall include the Chair(s) and Vice-chair(s). One Yipsel Chair and one Vice-chair shall be members of the SD,USA-SP,USA NEC.
3. The Yipsel, at its discretion, may establish an advisory body of former Yipsel members for the purpose of holding reunions and maintaining the Yipsel tradition.
A. Members shall state, in their membership applications, that: wishing, by democratic means, to bring about democratic socialism / social democracy they wish to be enrolled in the SD,USA--SP,USA.
B. Further, Members shall state that they are in Substantial Agreement with the Statement of Principles which appears at the SD,USA--SP,USA website.
C. No one who espouses "democratic centralism", "Marxism-Leninism", "vanguardism", "socialism-communism", "national socialism", nor anyone under the discipline of an organization espousing any of these dictums shall be admitted to Membership. It shall also be incompatible for a prospective member to be involved with groups that espouse violence when a peaceful and democratic path to social change exists. It shall also be considered incompatible for a prespective member to hold membership in any organization that advocates racism, sexism, or discrimination based on national origin, creed, or color. Also,no members of cult-like organizations which demand complete loyalty of followers including the use of mind control techniques, surrender of personal finances, and/or participation in criminal activity may be members of SD,USA-SP,USA. Further, it shall be incompatible for someone after becoming a member to join a group that bans members of the SD,USA-SP,USA from membership.
D. No who espouses the violent overthrow or subversion of the government of the United States of America or any of the several states or its territories while said government remains democratically constituted and elected, shall remain members of the SDUSA. Nor shall anyone be a member who is also a member of any group that supports subversion or criminal activity aimed at any citizen based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, or lifestyle. No one who supports the interest of any other sovereign state against the interests of the United States of America, nor anyone engaged in espionage against the United States of America , shall be permitted to retain membership. This shall not be construed to ban those with dual citizenship or resident aliens who are citizens of another nation from membership.
E. Members shall pay Dues.
1. Individual Members shall pay Dues in the amount of five dollars monthly for each ten thousand dollars of Disposable Income. For instance, a member earning ten thousand dollars a year with no dependents would pay sixty dollars a year in dues.
2. The Organization is empowered to provide dual and family memberships provided the base rate of five dollars monthly is maintained.
3. Dues may be paid monthly, semi-annually, or annually.
4. A Member shall fall from Good Standing after three months of non-payment of Dues and the Receipt of a Request for said Dues from the National Office.
5. A Member in Financial Hard Times may petition the National Office for a Dues Reduction.
a. Said Petition shall state, briefly, the nature of the problem and its approximate duration.
b. Upon receipt of said Petition, the National Office shall grant a Dues Reduction, except that no reduction shall be to an amount below one dollar per month.
c. It shall be the responsibility of the Member seeking a Dues Reduction to reapply each six months.
F. Responsibilities and Privileges of Members:
1. It shall be the responsibility of all Members to attempt to recruit new members in such ways as are practicable.
2. It shall be the responsibility of all Members to participate in the internal democratic life of the Organization.
3. All Members are encouraged to participate as Officers in the Organization or its Affiliates.
4. Members are encouraged to write for Organizational Publications.
5. No Member shall be deprived of Membership, Office, or Standing in the Organization without scrupulous Due Process.
a. A Member accused of an infraction shall have the right to be heard at Reasonable Length through him or herself or any representative he or she shall name before any body constituted to administer discipline.
b. A Member shall have the Right of Appeal to the next highest body within the Organization in all disciplinary matters.
6. It shall be the responsibility of each Member to notify the National Office of changes in contact information, including but not limited to street address, email address, and phone number.
7. Members who are unknown to the body approving their membership shall provide some reasonable form of identification if their dues check does not have a permanent street address printed on it.
G. Any citizen or resident of the United States of America and its territories is eligible for membership.
1. Any full time student regardless of educational environment may be a Member of the YSD/YPSL and may remain so as long as they are full time students even if they hold a position within the national or local SD,USA or SP,USA.
2. All Members over the age of 16 shall be members of the SD,USA.
3. All Members over 18 shall be members of the Socialist Party, USA.
4. For the time being, a officer of the SD,USA shall hold the equivalent position in the SP,USA and the League for Industrial Democracy.
A. The LID shall continue in connection with the Social Democrats, USA.
B. Membership in the LID shall be available to non-SDUSA members for $10 per year.
C. At present, the NEC and Named Officers of the SDUSA shall hold the same position in the LID.
D. The members of the NEC and NAC shall form the Board of Directors of the LID.
E. The LID shall examine matters of economic, political, social, industrial, and participatory democracy and publish its findings on a regular basis.
F. The LID shall hold a convention at least once every two years, which may be held in conjunction with the SDUSA convention.
G. The youth group of the LID shall be the Student League for Industrial Democracy and shall conduct its own affairs in consultation with the NEC.
A. The National Officers shall consist of the members of NEC and the Named Officers.
B. With the exception of National Advisory Committee (NAC), all National Officers shall be members in good standing of the SD,USA and will forfeit office upon falling from good standing.
C. Named Officers: National Chair, National Co-Chair(s), President, Executive Director, Youth Secretary, and other National Officers.
1. The National Chair or Co-chairs shall be elected by the Convention by majority vote.
2. These are responsible, together with the other national officers, to publicly present policy of the SD,USA. The National Chair(s) shall be the presiding officer(s) of the NEC and National Convention and shall, along with the ED, supervise the work of the NO.
3. The National Convention may elect National Vice-Chairs.
4. The President a shall be elected by the Convention by majority vote. The Convention may also select a Vice-president. The President and Vice-President shall publicly represent the work of LID.
5. Subject to the supervision of the NEC or any appropriate bodies, the Executive Director shall have charge of the National Office (NO) and of its employees and shall supervise the accounts and activities of the SD,USA.
6. The Executive Director(ED) shall be elected by the NEC at the first meeting after its election and the NEC shall fix his/her salary. The ED may be removed by the NEC for cause. The ED shall also be the Director of LID. The ED shall regularly report to general membership on the state of the organization. Three years continuous membership shall be required to qualify for Executive Director.
7. The NEC shall elect a Youth Secretary(YS) who shall be the chief staff person of Yipsel and shall supervise the work of other staff members. The YS shall also be the National Secretary of the Student League for the Industrial Democracy.
8. The NEC shall select editors for SD,USA and LID publications from its ranks.
9. The NEC, Chair, and President shall serve without salary and shall have such powers and duties as usually appertain to those officers.
10. The Named Officers, in consultation with the NEC, shall divide responsibility for the operations of the SD,USA, SP,USA, and LID between them as shall seem proper to them.
11. Named Officers may be removed by the NEC for cause, subject to the due process provisions of this constitution.
D. The NEC shall select a National Advisory Committee(NAC) composed of SD,USA members and representatives of labor, cooperative, fraternal, veterans, peace, and youth organizations which shall serve as an advisory body. Only members of the NAC who are members of SD,USA shall have voting rights during NEC meetings and National Conventions.
A. We recognize the words "Social Democrat" as being synonymous and interchangeable with and as being "Socialist" and having the full freedoms inalienable to democracy.
B. The SD,USA--SP,USA herein asserts that it is the only Legitimate Heir of the Social Democratic Party of America formed in 1898, which after a merger became The Socialist Party of America in 1901; which after a subsequent merger became The Socialist Party-Social Democratic Federation in 1956; which then changed its name to The Socialist Party, USA in 1962; which after still another merger became The Socialist Party, USA-Democratic Socialist Federation in 1972; and then democratically voted to change the name of the group to Social Democrats, USA in 1972. We herein assert claim over all the previous names of our organization including Socialist Party, USA.
C. The Young Social Democrats / Young People's Socialist League(Yipsel) herein asserts that it is the only Legitimate Heir to the Young People's Socialist League founded in 1913 and continuing as the youth group of The Socialist Party of America throughout its existence.
D. The Party is proud to see its Women's Section reformed.
E. The Organization herein asserts its solidarity with the League for Industrial Democracy and the Student League for Industrial Democracy and acknowledges these organizations as integral allies to the SD,USA--SP,USA.
F. The organization herein asserts that all property, physical and intellectual, of the organizations that constitute the SD,USA--SP,USA heritage shall be collectively held by the organization for future generations of democratic socialists / social democrats in the United States of America of America.
G. Locally, Affiliates may use any of the Party's previous names. An Affiliate may use the following names, provided a clear statement exists that the affiliate is a subsection of the SD,USA-SP,USA. The SD,USA-SP,USA shall disavowal any group not clearly identifying as a subsection of the Party and in accordance with Party Principles. The following names are pre-approved:
H. No Affiliate shall claim or suggest to represent more than a clearly defined subsection of the United States of America such as an individual state, territory or municipality or, in the case of the Yipsel, a school, campus or group of campuses in geographic proximity. For example the Yipsel may carter a city wide chapter, such as "The Young Social Democrats of New York City".
Bylaws of the National Executive Committee of Social Democrats, USA-Socialist Party, USA
A. RESOLUTIONS and MOTIONS
1. Resolutions and motions shall be limited to no more than 750 words.
2. Resolutions and motions shall be submitted to the National Director for word count and posting or mailing before being brought to the floor.
3. To meet Sunday meeting's minimal mail and posting times, resolutions and motions must be posted by Wednesday at noon, Eastern Time on the electronic message board established for that purpose.
4. The proposed time line related to each resolution or motion shall be publicly posted by the Committee on Resolution(COR). The COR shall consist of the National Chair(s), Vice-Chairs, the President, Vice President, the Executive Director, the Youth Secretary, and chair of any established sections of SD,USA--SP,USA such as the Yipsel and Women's Section.
a. The time line will then be communicated to the National Executive Committee (NEC) at least 36 hours prior to a meeting.
b. The time line will reflect a suggested parliamentary manner for dealing with a resolution or motion and any amendments offered, e.g. to table, consolidate, etc.
5. Discussion by the membership shall begin upon a resolution being posted.
6. Substitute resolutions must be posted by noon Thursday.
7. All amendments must be posted by noon Friday.
B. MEETINGS OF THE NEC
1. Meetings shall be conducted under Roberts' Rules of Order, revised, noting the exceptions in this document. The presiding officer of each meeting shall ordinarily be the highest ranking Named Officer present. The National Chair or Co-Chair shall ordinarily preside over business dealing with the SD,USA. The National President or Vice-President shall ordinarily preside over business dealing with the SP,USA and LID. The Chair or Vice Chair of the Yipsel shall ordinarily preside over business pertaining to the Yipsel. The chair of any established section like the Women's Section shall ordinarily preside over business dealing with that section. In the absence of these officers, the NEC shall elect from the members present a chair of the session.
2. The highest Named Officer shall pass the gavel to the next highest officer if he or she wishes to speak to a motion. This may be done for a single motion or for an entire meeting.
3. Members of the NAC shall be afforded speaking rights, but only dues paying members may represent an Affiliate.
4. The NEC may afford observers and guests speaking rights.
5. Any appeal from the decision of the Chair must be submitted to the Committee on Resolutions immediately. It will be decided upon immediately.
6. A quorum shall be 10% of the Affiliates plus 2 Named Officers.
7. In the absence of a quorum permissible actions are as follows:
a. Set time for another meeting.
b. End the meeting.
c. Take a short break.
d. Take other measures to obtain a quorum such as a call of the house.
8. All Affiliates in good standing shall be entitled to the votes prescribed by the constitution and voting rights may not be exercised by proxies.
9. The NEC may continue to do business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough members to leave the meeting inquorate.
C. Special Meetings of the NEC
1. Can be called by a majority of the COR.
2. Shall be posted not less than three days before the proposed meeting.
3. The specific reason for a special meeting being desired shall be stated.
4. The established rules for NEC meetings will govern special meeting.
Adopted December 31, 1972; Amended September 8, 1974; July 18, 1976; November 21-23, 1981; December 5, 1982; December 6, 1987; and March 24, 1990.
(Line 1) The name of this organization shall be the Social Democrats, U.S.A. the successor of the Socialist Party U.S.A. and the Democratic Socialist Federation of the U.S.A.
(Line 2) Its purpose shall be the achievement of social democracy in America and throughout the world, an objective which entails the extension of democracy to all institutions -- political, social, and economic. Its youth section shall be the Young Social Democrats (YSD).
Section 1.
(Line 3) Local organization, hereinafter called "Locals", shall be chartered by the National Committee (hereinafter called the "NC") upon the application of five or more qualified members, after consultation with the State Committee, subject to appeal to the National Committee.
(Line 4)A Local shall consist of all members of the S.D., U.S.A. residing within the area designated in the charter. YSD members may organize YSD Chapters as governed by the constitution.
Section 2.
(Line 5) Local organizations may charter branches within their jurisdiction on either a geographical or functional basis.
Section 3.
(Line 6) State organizations may be chartered by the NC upon the application of two or more Locals in a state.
(Line 7) All members of the S.D., U.S.A. within a state are members of the state organization.
(Line 8) In any organized state, a state convention shall be held upon the call of the State Committee or upon petition by 25% of the members and shall be called within thirty days.
(Line 9) A state Committee which shall act for the state organization between conventions shall be selected under procedures established by the state convention.
Section 4.
(Line 10) National referenda, national convention decisions and those of the NC shall take precedence over conflicting state or local decisions; in all other respects the state organization shall have full powers.
(Line 11) State and local committees in areas where there is an organized YSD shall include at least one member of the YSD who shall have full voting rights.
(Line 12) Such members shall be elected by the YSD of the area.
Section 5.
(Line 13) All members and S.D., U.S.A organizations within each state, city or county shall be subject to the organizational direction and discipline of the respective state, city or county committee.
Section 6.
(Line 14) Any local organization failing to have five or more members in good standing for a period of six consecutive months shall be automatically suspended and its charter revoked.
Section 7.
(Line 15) All state and local organizations shall hold their authority subject to the NC which may suspend a charter pending a hearing which shall be held within thirty days or revoke a charter after a hearing.
Section 8.
(Line 16) Failure or refusal of state, local, YSD or other sections to carry out programs of activity and decisions of the NC and the general policy of the S.D., U.S.A. is cause for suspension or revocation of charter.
Section 9.
(Line 17) All state and local platforms and political activities shall conform to the referenda, convention decisions, resolutions, and platforms of the S.D., U.S.A.
(Line 18) No state or local organizations shall fuse or combine with rival political parties or organizations.
(Line 19) In no event may local organizations or individual members support or endorse the nominee of, or work with Communist, Trotskyist, or other totalitarian parties or organizations.
Section 1.
(Line 20) Every person resident of the United Sates and its territories of the age of eighteen years and over, without discrimination as to sex, color, creed or national origin who has no connection with anypolitical party or group opposed to the S.D., U.S.A. shall be eligible for membership.
(Line 21) Members shall take part in the nomination of the candidates for public office in conformity with the laws of the state in which they reside.
Section 2.
(Line 22) The Local organization shall recommend for admission any applicant meeting the requirements herein laid down, subject to the approval of the NC.
(Line 23) The Local organization shall have full power over expulsion and discipline of members, subject to appeal to state committee, National Committee and National Convention.
(Line 24) Disciplinary procedure shall include provision for written charges, notice and open hearings within thirty days.
(Line 25) The NC may assume full power over admission, expulsion and discipline of members-at-large.
(Line 26) In the case of YSD members-at-large, the YSD NEC shall be consulted and may recommend action on the above.
(Line 27) The NC may assume jurisdiction if such a hearing is not held within 30 days.
Section 3.
(Line 28) Every applicant for membership shall sign an application.
(Line 29) Annual membership cards shall be issued by the NC to every member.
(Line 30) The National Office shall maintain a list of current addresses of members and make transfers of members who move from one locality to another.
Section 1.
(Line 31) The affairs of the S.D., U.S.A. shall be administered by the National Convention, the National Committee, its officers and subcommittees, subject to referendum as hereinafter provided.
Section 2.
(Line 32) The size of the NC shall be determined by and elected by the regular National Convention of the S.D., U.S.A., and shall include the National Chairman.
(Line 33) Members of the NC shall be elected by preferential balloting.
Section 3.
(Line 34) The National Convention shall also elect in the same manner alternates to the NC, from whom vacancies in the committee shall be filled in the order of the vote they received.
(Line 35) The YSD shall elect one alternate who shall likewise be a member of the S.D., U.S.A. and who shall serve as alternate to the member elected by the YSD.
Section 4.
(Line 36) If a member of the NC is unable to attend a meeting of the NC, he shall notify the National Office which shall then notify the alternate designated by the absentee in order of preference to set for him at the meeting.
Section 5.
(Line 37) Vacancies in the office of National Chairman shall be filled by the NC.
Section 6.
(Line 38) Two year continuous membership in the S.D., U.S.A. shall be required to qualify for National Chairman, Vice-Chairman or as a member or alternate of the NC.
Section 7.
(Line 39) A quorum for any action of the NC shall consist of a majority of the members or seated alternates.
Section 8.
(Line 40) The NC upon its election shall create and set rules on size, quorum, procedure and jurisdiction of the National Action Committee or other committees.
(Line 41) It shall also have power to dissolve these committees provided that it delegates to another subordinate committee the responsibility for conduction ongoing affairs of the organization.
Section 9.
(Line 42) The NC may select a National Council composed of S.D., U.S.A. members, and representatives of labor, cooperative, fraternal, veterans, peace and youth organizations which shall serve as an advisory body.
Section 1.
(Line 43) The NC shall assume office immediately upon its election and shall hold office until its successors have been elected.
(Line 44) Between conventions, the NC shall be the governing body of the S.D., U.S.A., with authority to lay down policies and direct action in accordance with convention and referendum decisions.
Section 2.
(Line 45) The NC shall represent the S.D., U.S.A. in national and international affairs.
(Line 46) It shall call conventions, serve as a temporary credentials committee, prepare a tentative agenda and temporary rules and order of business.
(Line 47) It shall submit a report to the membership at least thirty days before the Convention covering finances, activities, membership, and general state of the S.D., U.S.A., and make recommendations to the Convention as it finds necessary.
(Line 48) The NC shall meet at least once every six months except by unanimous consent with at least one meeting a year in the National Office and one meeting a year in Washington, D.C.
(Line 49) It shall send minutes to the NC or any appropriate bodies, to all state, local, and branch organizations.
Section 3.
(Line 50) The NC shall be the custodian of all property of the S.D., U.S.A. Upon dissolution, suspension, expulsion, resignation, disaffiliation or withdrawal of any state or local organization or the YSD or the Verband, all its books, money and other property shall become the property of the NC.
(Line 51) If there are the required number of Locals or members who are willing to comply with the decisions of the S.D., U.S.A., all such books, money and other property shall be transferred to the reorganized sections, as approved by the NC.
Section 4.
(Line 52) It shall fix the location of the headquarters of the S.D., U.S.A., and of all national sections thereof.
Section 5.
(Line 53) It shall engage national organizers, lecturers, and other field workers.
Section 6.
(Line 54) Not less than ninety days before the date of any national convention or not less than sixty days before the date of any special convention it shall apportion the representation of such convention in accordance with the provision of this constitution.
Section 1.
(Line 55) a) The National Chairman or National Co-Chairmen shall be elected by the Convention by majority vote.
(Line 56) He is responsible, together with the other national officers, to publicly present S.D., U.S.A. policy.
(Line 57) b) The President shall be elected by the Convention by majority vote.
Section 2.
(Line 58) Subject to the supervision of the NC or any appropriate bodies, the Executive Director shall have charge of the National Office and of its employees, and shall supervise the accounts and activities of the S.D., U.S.A.
Section 3.
(Line 59) a) The Executive Director shall be elected by the NC at the first meeting after its election and the NC shall fix his salary.
(Line 60) He may be removed by the NC.
(Line 61) b) The NC may elect one or more vice-chairmen from its membership and may elect such other officers as it seems necessary.
Section 4.
(Line 62) Three years continuous membership shall be required to qualify for Executive Director.
Section 5.
(Line 63) The National Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall serve without salary and shall have such powers and duties as usually appertain to those officers.
Section 1.
(Line 64) The NC shall call a convention no later than during the second calender year following the year of the previous convention.
(Line 65) Special conventions may be called by referendum.
(Line 66) The representation shall be as follows:
(Line 67) a) The number of delegates to all conventions shall be set at not more than one hundred and fifty nor less than seventy five, by vote of the NC at least ninety days before the date set by it for the convention, except in the case of a special convention when such period shall be no less the sixty days.
(Line 68) b) the apportionment of delegates to conventions shall be as follows: Representation shall be based upon the actual membership of the S.D., U.S.A. as determined by registration as of six months prior to the opening day of the convention, qualification for registration to be paid up dues and full paid up assessments by each member for the calendar year in which the election of delegates is to take place.
(Line 69) A state not having registered sufficient members for a full delegate may voluntarily combine with a contiguous state or states to elect a voting delegate(s).
(Line 70) c) There shall be one YSD representative at conventions who shall be elected by the YSD NEC.
Section 2.
(Line 71) The method of election of delegates shall be determined by the state committee in organized states.
(Line 72) In unorganized states, delegates shall be allocated to locals and to the membership at large.
(Line 73) Such locals shall determine the method of election of delegates.
(Line 74) Delegates allocated to membership at large shall be elected under procedures to be set by the NAC.
(Line 75) Only members in good standing who have been members for at least six months prior to the closing of the vote shall be entitled to vote.
(Line 76) The number of such members in each state or local shall be determined by the National Secretary and shall accompany the apportionment.
(Line 77) No protest on the number of such members shall be entertained unless it is made before the vote is closed.
Section 3.
(Line 78) Delegates to national conventions shall be members of the S.D., U.S.A., in the state which they represent, except as provided in Section 1b, and shall have been members of the organization for at least twelve months immediately preceding the opening of the convention.
(Line 79) For the purpose of determining whether a delegate has been a member for twelve months, YPSL membership may be included to the extent of six of the twelve months needed as membership in the S.D., U.S.A.
Section 4.
(Line 80) The election of delegates to the national convention shall, whenever possible, be completed not later than thirty days preceding the convention, and state and local secretaries shall furnish the National Secretary with lists of accredited delegates immediately upon their election.
Section 5.
(Line 81) The National Chairman shall open the convention and shall preside until the convention is permanently organized by the uncontested delegates on roll call as prepared by the NC.
Section 6.
(Line 82) Conventions shall adopt the platform and the constitution of the S.D., U.S.A. and transact such other business as may properly come before the convention and all acts of the convention shall be final and binding on all officers, committees, and members, unless and until reversed by a referendum.
Section 7.
(Line 83) The NC shall issue a call for resolutions and suggestions three month before the convention.
(Line 84) The SD., U.S.A., shall be affiliated with the Socialist International and shall have fraternal relations with the Asian Socialist Conference.
Section 1.
(Line 85) a) National dues shall be paid annually at the rate of $_____ (unemployed); not less than $_____ (retired); $_____ (regular); $_____ for husband and wife (dual).
(Line 86) Each year’s dues payments shall entitle the member to a year’s subscription to New America.
(Line 87) The Fiscal year for all members shall be the calendar year.
(Line 88) National dues may, on formal agreement between the local or state and the NC, be paid in monthly installments of at least $_____ per month for the entire twelve months.
(Line 89) In the case of the Jewish Socialist Verband dues matters will be decided by the National Committee.
(Line 90) b) any question, motion, resolution or constitutional amendment proposed by at least two-thirds of the actual membership of the NC.
Section 2.
(Line 91) Proposal to submit matters to a referendum shall be printed in Hammer & Tongs and shall be open for endorsements for a period of thirty days.
(Line 92) If there are not sufficient endorsements at the expiration of thirty days, the matter may not be raised for a period of six months.
(Line 93) Notice of such result shall be given to all members.
Section 3.
(Line 94) Whenever a national convention is to be held within six months, no question shall be submitted to a referendum vote except a motion to postpone the convention.
Section 4.
(Line 95) a) The term "Locals" shall apply to the organization in a city or county and shall not mean the branches or subdivisions of a city or county organization.
(Line 96) b) The term "membership" shall mean total members in good standing as herein provided.
Section 5.
(Line 97) Referenda shall be submitted without preamble; comment not to exceed five hundred words both for and against the proposition may accompany it.
Section 6.
(Line 98) The return of the vote in any referendum shall be in the National Office not later than thirty days after the date of mailing of ballots by the National Office.
Section 7.
(Line 99) Whenever a motion, resolution, amendment or question has been submitted to referendum of the membership, no referendum on the same issue may be held for at least one year.
Section 8.
(Line 100) Only members of the S.D., U.S.A, who have been members fore at least six months and who are in good standing may vote in a referendum.
Section 1.
(Line 101) The Jewish Socialist Verband is an integral part of the S.D., U.S.A.
Section 2.
(Line 102) As such it is the stated policy of the S.D., U.S.A., that among the members elected to the NC there shall be individuals who are members of the Jewish Socialist Verband.
Section 3.
(Line 103) The Verband shall always observe and carry out all decisions of the S.D., U.S.A.'s conventions and the National Committee.
Section 4.
(Line 104) Verband locals and branches shall send delegates to the city, central, state and county committees of the S.D., U.S.A., and Verband members and units shall have the same rights and responsibilities as all other members of the S.D., U.S.A.
Section 5.
(Line 105) The Verband members may vote and participate in all activities of the parent body, the S.D., U.S.A.
Section 6.
(Line 106) Wherever the YSD creates a Chapter or sectional organization, the S.D., U.S.A. in the locality shall exchange delegates on appropriate committee.
Section 1.
(Line 103) The Socialist Party, by that name, shall continue in association with the Social Democrats, U.S.A.
Section 2.
(Line 104) The Socialist Party shall have the following duties and functions:
(Line 105) a) To maintain its present relationship with the Socialist Society of the United States of America, Inc.
(Line 106) b) To solicit and receive money for distribution for socialist purposes including electoral activity, in accordance with the decision of its Board.
(Line 107) c) To engage in scholarly work and research on the history of the socialist and labor movements.
(Line 108) d) To perform any other tasks assigned to it by the National Committee of the Social Democrats, U.S.A.
Section 3.
(Line 109) The Socialist Party shall be governed by a Board, the membership of which shall be the same as the membership of the National Committee of the Social Democrats, U.S.A., and which shall hold such office in The Socialist Party as long as they hold the same post on the National Committee of the Social Democrats, U.S.A.
Section 4.
(Line 110) The Socialist Party shall not take any action contrary to the referendum decisions, constitution, program and decisions of the National Committee and national conventions of the Social Democrats, U.S.A.
Section 1.
(Line 111) The Young People's Socialist League, by that name, shall continue in association with the Social Democrats, U.S.A.
Section 1.
(Line 112) The NC shall appoint the editor and associate editors of all national S.D., U.S.A. publications.
Section 2.
(Line 113) The NC shall vest in a body of persons responsible to it the national legal ownership of all national S.D., U.S.A. publications.
Section 3.
(Line 114) Every publication for general circulation by the S.D., U.S.A. and of any subdivisions is responsible for the presentation of its official policies under the direction of the NC and such publications shall receive the approval of their responsible editors, organizational set-up and policies from the NC.
Section 4.
(Line 115) The NC shall make provisions for adequate presentation of various points of view within the S.D., U.S.A., through an internal discussion bulletin to be known as Hammers & Tongs.
(Line 116) This constitution may be amended by majority vote of a national convention or by majority vote of a national referendum as provided herein.