This morning, the Executive Board of the College Democrats of America (CDA) -- the official youth auxiliary of the DNC -- sent a formal letter to Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chief Executive Officer Amy Dacey demanding the resignation of CDA National President Natasha McKenzie and promising impeachment proceedings if her resignation is not received.
This move comes following ire and outrage in the ranks of College Democrats (and alumni) across the nation after a series of well-publicized allegations of intimidation, corruption, chaos, and other concerns raised followed the 2015 National Convention.
The following is the transcript of the email sent, including the attached document and articles:
Email
Dear Amy,
On behalf of the CDA executive board members, I am contacting you directly today given the nature of recent events that took place at last weekends CDA national convention and found it best for you to be aware of our intentions. Attached you will find a signed letter from current CDA executive board members outlining the need for a leadership change within our organization – effective immediately.
Current CDA executive board members expect to see actions expressed in the attachment addressed by the CDA National President, Natasha McKenzie, by close-of-business today (EST). Where upon, if the concerns are not addressed, the attachments have been requested to be forwarded to all chartered State Federations.
Within the hour, a CDA National Council meeting via conference call will be scheduled for this Sunday, August 2nd at 10:00 PM (EST). National Council meetings are designed to provide our chartered State Federations with the appropriate forum to meet and plan accordingly.
Moving forward, I ask all communication be directly addressed to myself. I have provided my contact information below.
Best Regards,
Rawley Van Fossen
College Democrats of America, National Council Chair
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Letter
DATE: July 28th, 2015
TO: Amy Dacey, Chief Executive Officer
Democratic National Committee
430 South Capitol St. SE
Washington, DC 20003
FROM: College Democrats of America Executive Board
SUBJECT: Leadership Change
To Whom It May Concern:
We, the undersigned members of the College Democrats of America executive board, wish to make a joint statement regarding the future of CDA.
We do not stand by the actions of our President, Natasha McKenzie, during the 2015 College Democrats of America national convention, nor do we hold confidence in her ability to lead this organization moving forward. During the convention, Natasha McKenzie exhibited unethical behavior and promulgated an unacceptable culture of intimidation. To this end, we are hereby calling on Natasha McKenzie to resign immediately as National President of the College Democrats of America. If Natasha McKenzie shall not resign, we the undersigned Executive Board intend to move forward with official articles of impeachment for Natasha McKenzie attached below with the necessary reasoning.
Noting this, we also understand CDA must be in a position to move forward as a successful and productive organization. We, therefore, express complete confidence in Marvin McMoore’s ability to assume the responsibility of National President. Marv displayed excellence in leadership during his tenure as Massachusetts College Democrats President and CDA Black Caucus Chair. We are extremely optimistic that Marv will increase the transparency and ethical standing of CDA.
In pursuit of strengthening our continuing relationship with the DNC, we request a meeting with DNC personnel to discuss necessary steps to curb the unethical behavior and culture of intimidation promulgated specifically by those staffers tasked with youth engagement.
During the course of the 2015-2016 academic year, we look forward to rebuilding and revitalizing the College Democrats of America in partnership with the DNC. Our ultimate goal is to create an organization that will strengthen the youth vote during the 2016 elections and elect a Democratic President of the United States.
Sincerely,
Jamie Zieno (NY) - Director of Development
Valeria Ojeda (DC) - Director of Programs
Carlos Martinez (TX) -Director of Membership
Alex DiLalla (IL) - Director of Political Affairs
Rawley Van Fossen (MI) - National Council Chair
Naeemah Charles (CA) - National Council Vice Chair
Ebony West (NC) - National Council Secretary
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Articles of Impeachment
ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT OF NATASHA MCKENZIE,
COLLEGE DEMOCRATS OF AMERICA NATIONAL PRESIDENT
RESOLVED, That using the causes and process outlined in Article 2 Section I (e and f) of the College Democrats of America constitution bylaws, Natasha McKenzie, National President of the College Democrats of America, is impeached for malfeasance and misfeasance (as outlined below), and that the following article of impeachment be forwarded to the College Democrats of America National Council for a confirmation vote.
College Democrats of America constitution excerpt:
“Section I (f). Removal: Executive Board members may be removed in the following manner:
A. Cause for Removal: Cause for removal shall be defined as malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance of constitutionally assigned duties, being convicted of a felony, or upon other grounds found by a majority of the other members of the Executive Board to constitute good and sufficient cause.
B. Process for Removal: In order to remove an Executive Board officer, both the Executive Board and the National Council must vote for removal by a two-thirds majority. If either body votes to recommend removal of an Executive Board officer, the other body must vote on whether or not to remove that officer within 30 days.”
Malfeasance and misfeasance by Natasha McKenzie was exhibited on Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25, 2015 at the College Democrats of America National Convention during officer elections.
Specific occurrences of malfeasance and misfeasance:
· On the evening of July 24, 2015, Natasha McKenzie attempted to keep a candidate for Communications Director from joining the other candidates on stage for a candidates forum.
· On the evening of July 24, 2015, Natasha McKenzie attempted to have the Elections Committee remove a candidate for Communications Director
· On the morning of July 25, 2015, during election proceedings, Natasha McKenzie threatened the elected Membership Director that he would not be allowed on executive board calls because of his vote for a candidate for Communications Director
· On the morning of July 25, 2015, after election proceedings, Natasha McKenzie stated that she did not care about the College Democrats of Wisconsin, and the State Federation did not matter to her.
· On the morning of July 25, 2015, after election proceedings, Natasha McKenzie promulgated such an atmosphere of intimidation that in a meeting with DNC staffer A’Shanti Gholar, Executive Board members felt afraid to voice their complaints or unease with her
Agreed to by the following College Democrats of America Executive Board officers on Tuesday, July 28, 2015:
Jamie Zieno (NY) - Director of Development
Valeria Ojeda (DC) - Director of Programs
Carlos Martinez (TX) -Director of Membership
Alex DiLalla (IL) - Director of Political Affairs
Rawley Van Fossen (MI) - National Council Chair
Naeemah Charles (CA) - National Council Vice Chair
Ebony West (NC) - National Council Secretary
Full versions of the letter and articles of impeachment may be seen
here.
We will update this diary with more information as the story progresses and more information becomes available.
Edit: An earlier version of this diary stated that the National President has 7 days to contest impeachment allegations per the CDA Constitution. This was incorrect. Instead, it