Article One - Name

1.01

The name of the organization shall be the New Democratic Youth of Alberta, hereinafter referred to as the NDYA.

Article Two - Authority

2.01

The Authority of the NDYA derives from the constitution of the Alberta New Democratic Party, hereinafter referred to as the ANDP.

2.02

Where the constitution of the NDYA is silent, the constitution of the ANDP shall prevail.

2.03

The constitution of the NDYA shall be interpreted by the NDYA executive, subject to the decisions of Youth Council or Youth Convention.

2.04

The NDYA recognizes and affirms its affiliation to and membership in the New Democratic Youth of Canada, hereinafter referred to as the NDYC, but in a conflict between the constitution and the constitution of the NDYC, this constitution shall prevail.

Article Three - Purpose

3.01

The NDYA identifies itself as a Democratic Socialist organization and aims to promote the principles of Democratic Socialism within the ANDP, society at large and within all organizations with whom the NDYA is affiliated. .

3.02

To provide constructive criticism of the New Democratic Party's policies, programs and organization with and through the New Democratic Party, hereinafter referred to as the NDP.

3.03

To act as an advocate for young people within the ANDP and in the community at large.

3.04

To promote the participation of young people in the NDP.

Article Four - Membership

4.01

Every member in good standing of the ANDP between fourteen (14) and twenty- five (25) years of age inclusive is a full member of the NDYA.

4.02

Only members of the NDYA shall be eligible to serve as officers of the organization, or as officers of any local NDYA club, or as NDYA delegates to any NDP Council or Convention.

Article Five - Constituent Groups

5.01

Any group within the NDYA may organize a constituent group or caucus for the purpose of improving the participation of members of that group in the activities of the NDYA. The development of constituency groups or caucuses is an organic process that allows members to organize around their common issues and identities if they so choose.

5.02

If willing, these groups are entitled to organize according to their own organization, rules, procedures, and/or constitution in any areas where this constitution is silent. At NDYA Convention any active constituency or caucus group with 2 or more members may elect one of their members as a representative with voting power to sit on the NDYA Executive. Caucus Executive positions are not subject to gender parity.

5.03

Members of constituency groups within the NDYA are not required to be members of the NDP, but representatives of these groups voting at an NDYA Council or Convention must be members.

Article Six - Clubs

6.01

The Provincial Youth Council or Convention shall have the authority to grant a club charter to any group of at least five (5) NDYA members in any locality which requests such a charter.

6.02

The Provincial Youth Council or Convention shall have the authority to withdraw a club charter under the following circumstances:

1. should the club disband;
2. should the club become inactive for a period of one year or more;
3. should the club undertake any activity which violates the constitution or bylaws of the NDYA or the ANDP.

Article Seven - Provincial Youth Executive

7.01

The Provincial Youth Executive shall consist of the following officers elected at the Annual Youth Convention:

The NDYA Co-Chairs will act as the sole representatives for the NDYA on the ANDP Executive, one with voice, one with vote, based on the Co-Chairs' decision. The NDYA Secretary will act as the alternate should 1 Co-Chair be unable to attend.

1. Two (2) Co-Chairs, who shall
1. Act jointly as the Chief Executive Officers of the organization and shall chair all meetings;
2. Act, in rotation, as the NDYA representative on the ANDP executive and as the NDYA alternate on the ANDP executive;
3. Act as the NDYA representatives of the ANDP Policy Review Committee;
4. Ex-officio members on all NDYA Executive Committees;
5. ONE co-chair will oversee publishing of the catalyst at least ONE (1) time per year, and;
6. ONE Co-chair will oversee planning of ONE yearly NDYA Convention and TWO NDYA councils

2. Secretary, who shall
1. Act as Chief Administrative Officer, alternate for the NDYA Co-Chairs, and sit on all NDYA Executive Committees,
2. Take Minutes at all NDYA meetings and post them on the NDYA website;
3. Maintain an updated physical and online version of the NDYA constitution;
4. Coordinate with the ANDP Party Office to maintain an updated youth membership list;
5. Oversee the maintenance of the NDYA website and moderate the NDYA listserv

3. Treasurer, who shall
1. Act as the official Financial Officer for the NDYA;
2. Prepare annual budget and oversee all NDYA fundraising operations;
3. Be responsible for submitting a year end financial statement to Party Office for the purpose of complying with the requirements of the Chief Electoral Officer of Alberta;
4. Be responsible for collecting any membership fees and coordinating with the ANDP to manage NDYA finances;
5. Monthly budget updates to the NDYA Executive

4. Federal Youth Liaison Officer, who shall
1. Maintain the lines of communication with other Provincial sections of the NDYC;
2. to co-ordinate with youth in federal ridings, or the NDYC, or the Federal NDP party.
3. Help the NDYA with coordinating any campaigns or fundraising initiated by the NDYC or the Federal NDP;
4. Maintain correspondence with the acting Federal Youth Organizer of the Federal NDP to make sure the perspective of the NDYA is represented on the Federal youth level

5. Provincial Youth Liaison Officer, who shall
1. Co-ordinate and/or assist with campus club and regional youth organization;
2. Make sure all regional concerns within Alberta expressed by NDYA membership is represented on the Executive;
3. Oversee outreach in areas without previous NDYA representation;
4. Oversee NDYA efforts to develop new chartered clubs in Alberta and strengthen existing chartered clubs

7.03

In any election of the Executive members due regard shall also be paid to regional representation and representation of disenfranchised groups, and these provisions shall be brought to the attention of delegates prior to the commencement of elections.

Only the non-Caucus Executive positions will be subject to gender parity during elections. The non-Caucus Executive positions must consist of 50% women and 50% men, except in the case of an odd number of non-Caucus elected officials. In the case of an odd number, the one position violating parity will be ignored.
a)In the event that there is insufficient Nominees of a particular gender who are willing and able to hold executive positions, the NDYA may choose to create an executive which operates normally until gender parity can be reached
i) Co-Chairs must maintain Gender parity in all situations
ii) The NDYA must seek to maintain and/or restore Gender parity.

7.04

Should any elected Executive positions fall vacant between Provincial Youth Conventions, the Executive shall appoint one of its current members to act as that officer, excepting as otherwise specified in the constitution, until the next Provincial Youth Council meeting, where the post shall be filled by election.

7.05

The NDYA Executive shall conduct and administer the affairs and business of the organisation between Provincial Youth Council meetings, accepting the submission of policy resolutions in the name of the NDYA to the ANDP Provincial Convention, the NDYC Convention or the Federal NDP Convention.

7.06

The NDYA Executive may issue statements in the name of the organisation in accordance with decisions made by the Executive, Council, and Convention of the NDYA and the principles of the Party;

7.07

The NDYA Executive may establish Executive Committees to carry out the work of the organisation.

7.08

NDYA Executive meetings shall be fifty percent (50%) of the total voting executive membership.

7.09

Membership on the NDYA Executive shall be terminated in the following manner:

1. If any Executive member resigns their position. A member will be deemed to have resigned if they miss two (2) consecutive meetings without notice.
2. The Provincial Youth Council may remove an Executive Member from office if it deems there to be just cause for doing so.

7.10

Any decision of the Executive may be appealed to the Provincial Youth Council or Convention.

7.11

All meetings of the Executive shall be open to any NDYA member to attend as an observer.

7.13

The NDYA Executive shall meet at least once per-month and at least one-weeks notice must be given prior to the date of a monthly executive meeting. I) Should the executive fail to establish quorum at the monthly meeting, any pressing motions may be, at the discretion of the Co-Chair put to a vote via e-mail over the NDYA Executive list-serv with at least 24 hours provided for members to vote following the scheduled start time of the meeting; and i. In addition to this the NDYA Co-Chair calling the vote should also attempt to contact each member of the executive via telephone or in person to ensure that they know that the vote will be occurring II) Should an emergency arise requiring the immediate action of the NDYA Executive the Co-Chair may request a vote on the matter via e-mail over the NDYA Executive list-serv with at least a full 24 hours provided for members to vote following notice of the vote; i. In addition to this the NDYA Co-Chair calling the vote should also attempt to contact each member of the executive via telephone or in person to ensure that they know that the vote will be occurring .

Article Eight - Provincial Youth Council

7.12

Each member of the NDYA Executive shall contribute the following to The Catalyst each year;

I) An annual report; and

II) At least one article for the catalyst

i. Individuals who are elected to the NDYA Executive in order to replace a member who has resigned part way through their term may, at the discretion of the Co-Chair responsible for the publication of the Catalyst, be excused from producing an article .

Article Eight - Provincial Youth Council

8.01

The Council shall be governing body of the NDYA between Provincial Youth conventions and shall have the capacity to review the activities of the NDYA Executive.

8.02

Written notice of the date and place of a Provincial Council shall be provided to the membership at least thirty (30) days normally, fifteen (15) days in an emergency, prior to the date of that council.

8.03

Decisions of the Youth Council may be appealed to the Youth convention.

8.04

The Youth Council is empowered to submit resolutions in the name of the NDYA to the ANDP Provincial Convention, the NDYC Convention, or the Convention of Canada's New Democrats, or to create committees empowered to do so.

8.05

The Council shall have the exclusive authority to adopt whatever bylaws its membership deems necessary for the efficient administration of NDYA business.

Article Nine - Provincial Youth Convention

9.01

The Provincial Youth Convention shall be the highest governing body of the NDYA.

9.02

The NDYA shall hold a Provincial Youth Convention at least once per calendar year.

9.03

The date and place for Youth convention shall be chosen by Provincial Youth Executive. Should the original date chosen fall during a Federal or Provincial election campaign, the convention may be postponed for up to sixty (60) days. Even if the new date falls within the next calendar year, a Youth Convention for each year must be held separately.

9.04

At least forty-five (45) days written notice of the date and place of the Provincial Youth Convention shall be given to each Youth member.

9.05

Resolutions for submission to a Provincial Youth Convention may be submitted by any NDYA member in good standing.

9.06

The order of debate of resolutions shall be determined by the NDYA Executive subject to the approval of Convention.

9.07

Any member in good standing shall be entitled to attend Provincial Youth Convention as a voting delegate.

9.08

Each delegate of the Provincial Youth Convention shall have only one vote: proxy voting shall not be allowed.

9.09

At Provincial Youth Convention, quorum shall consist or one-half (1/2) of those registered as delegates at the commencement of Convention

9.10

Anyone may register as an observer at Provincial Youth Convention. Observers shall have neither voice nor vote.

Article Ten - Business at Provincial Convention

10.01

Business at the Provincial Youth convention shall include but not be restricted to receiving and voting upon the reports of the

1. Co-Chairs
2. Secretary
3. Treasurer
4. Federal Youth Liaison Officer
5. Provincial Youth Liaison Officer
6. Calgary Metro Council Delegate
7. Active Caucuses of the NDYA
8. Committees of Council or Convention

10.02

Business may also include consideration of and voting upon:

1. Proposed amendments to the constitution;
2. Resolutions binding on the NDYA;
3. Resolutions to be submitted in the name of the NDYA to the ANDP Provincial Convention, the NDYC Convention or the Convention of Canada's New Democrats;
4. The creation of committees for any purpose.

10.03

All positions on Provincial Youth Executive as well as the position of the Calgary Metro Council delegate will be open for election at each Convention.

Article Eleven - Accreditation to NDP Councils and Conventions

11.01

The following NDYA members shall receive accreditation to ANDP Provincial Councils:

1. Up to five (5) members of the NDYA chosen by the Provincial Youth Council or Convention;
2. Any NDYA members on the ANDP Executive shall be automatic delegates from that body.

11.02

Members of the NDYA shall receive accreditation to the ANDP Provincial Conventions in the following manner:

1. Up to seven (7) members of the NDYA chosen by Provincial Youth Council or Convention;
2. Any NDYA members of the ANDP Executive shall be automatic delegates from that body;
3. From each NDYA club chartered no less than six (6) months prior to the ANDP Convention, one delegate for every fifteen (15) members or major portion thereof, to be elected by those clubs.

11.03

Members of the NDYA shall receive accreditation to the NDP Federal Convention in the following manner:

1. The Co-chairs shall be delegates;
2. Any NDYA members who serve on the Federal NDP Council or the NDYC Executive shall be automatic delegates from that body.
3. Other NDYA delegates, up to the maximum numbers specified by the Federal NDP Constitution, chosen by Provincial Youth Council or Convention.

Article Twelve - Amendments

12.01

This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of all delegates present and voting at any Provincial Youth Convention.

Article Thirteen - Discipline

13.01

All matters in which the Provincial Youth council or Convention determines that disciplinary action against an individual or group is required shall be forwarded to the Co-Chairs.

13.02

The Provincial Youth Council or Convention shall be said to have determined disciplinary action to be necessary when 75% of the voting members have voted in concurrence with such action.

Article Fourteen - Rules of Order

14.01

The rules of order shall be Robert's Rules of Order, except where otherwise specified by this constitution.