Concord University Gay-Straight Alliance Constitution
Last modified 25 August 2014
PREAMBLE
The mission of the Concord University, hereafter referred to as CU, Gay-Straight Alliance, hereafter referred to as GSA, is one of learning, support, understanding, tolerance, and acceptance. Operating under the ethos that every CU experience in diversity is a learning experience, the CU GSA believes the immense diversity in sexual orientation among its students and personnel provides an excellent opportunity to learn from one another. We will strive to provide a safe and friendly atmosphere in which students may learn and personnel may perform their duties. We will accomplish this by utilizing educational programs and the promotion of tolerance, understanding, and acceptance through social awareness. Desirous to end the spread of hatred, homophobia, and related harassment and violence, the CU GSA will work diligently to promote unity in our school and community.
ARTICLE I - NAME AND BIRTH DATE
This organization shall be known as the Gay - Straight Alliance at Concord University as of September 24, 2009.
ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP
A. Membership is open to all persons without regard to sexual orientation, race, sex, gender, color, ethnic origin, religious affiliate, age, and physical or psychological disability.
1. Regular Membership - All full and part-time students of Concord University are eligible to be considered full-time members. A member must maintain two meetings per month, ten in each semester. Within reason, a member can get up to one excuse per month. Also attend three events each semester. If they do not follow these requirements, they will be considered an Associate member until requirements are met.
a) To be officially excused if you must miss a meeting(s), an e-mail should be sent to the Secretary with the excuse.
2. New/Associate Members - Those who are going to Concord University full or part time and have not been a part of GSA at any time or a previous member of GSA. For a new or associate member to gain regular member, they must attend at least three meetings and two events. Then they must follow the requirements for a regular member.
3. Alumni - Must be a Concord Graduate and must be on good standing with Concord University and GSA before graduating.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP EXPECTATIONS
A. The GSA will not tolerate discrimination from within its membership or from outside its membership, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age or disability, at any program or activity offered under the control of the GSA. Nor will the GSA tolerate any
form of harassment from within its membership or from outside its membership.
B. In accordance with the policies of CU and all national organizations represented on campus, hazing will not be permitted. All acts of hazing by any organization member are forbidden, as defined by the University.
C. As members of diverse orientations, we need to respect others in our organization. Any personal information divulged and GSA related events shall stay within the group. This means what happens in the meetings stays in the meetings and NO “OUTING” OTHERS.
1. This includes any and all social networking sites (i.e. facebook, myspace, twitter, etc.), text messages, or general conversations about what is discussed in GSA meetings.
2. If gossip regarding personal information about other members of the organization is brought to the attention of the officers, the person who is disrespecting its members by divulging information that was meant strictly for GSA may risk losing membership or coming to GSA events.
ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS
A. Officer Duties
1. Faculty Advisor: The Faculty Advisor(s) is a liaison between the club and the faculty, staff and community. Furthermore, the Faculty Advisor provides assistance with fundraising, events coordination and club organization.
2. President: The President is the spokesperson for the club, and as such is expected to attend all meetings and club functions and display exemplary leadership qualities. The President is also responsible for all appointed positions. The President shall oversee all meetings.
3. Vice-President: The Vice-President shall create committees for GSA activities when deemed necessary, oversee all committees and club functions. In the event that responsibilities lie unattended, shall be responsible for recruiting new committee members or canceling committee functions or events at the VP's discretion. Discretionary decisions are subject to review by club officers.
4. Treasurer: Duties of the Treasurer are to keep accurate records of incoming or outgoing monies with regard to the funds of our treasury. Will keep receipts and make an accurate accounting of all said monies at each weekly meeting.
5. Secretary: The Secretary is expected to attend all general and officers meetings and keep minutes for both. Copies of all general meeting minutes are to be made available to the club members and the Faculty Advisor. The Secretary is to keep both hard copies and the master disk of club productions and articles. A copy of all club productions and articles is to be kept updated in the SGA office. The Secretary also must keep attendance of all members for meetings and events, and give a copy to the President and Faculty Advisor(s).
6. Public Relations: The Public Relations representative (PR) is expected to handle all public relations including but not limited to literature and press. The PR is also responsible for making sure all events are documented as well as serve as a liaison at public functions. PR is not an executive office, it is a staff office. If the PR representative is impeached/quiets, the executive officer can have special meetings to vote on a new PR representative.
7. Fellowship Chair: The Fellowship Chair is expected to have at least one fellowship per month for all members of GSA. All fellowships must fellow all CU rules and regulations, GSA constitution, federal and state laws and rules, and any rules that may apply to the public or private venue. This office can be optional. If not used, the Vice-President would take these responsibilities. Fellowship Chair is an executive office if used.
8. Fundraising Chair: The Fundraising Chair is expected to have fundraisers to benefit the GSA as least two times a semester. All proceeds from fundraisers must be given to the GSA, unless previously discussed to be given to another organization/charity/etc. This office is optional. If not used, the treasurer would take these responsibilities. Fundraising Chair is an executive office if used.
9. Student Government Association (SGA) Representative: SGA Rep must attend all SGA regular and committee(s) meetings. If unable to make an SGA meeting, SGA Rep must contact President or Vice-President, within five hours of the SGA regular or committee(s) meeting(s). SGA Rep is a staff office. If the SGA Rep is impeached or quits, the executive officers can have a special meeting to vote on a new SGA Rep.
B. Qualifications
1. A candidate for an executive office must have a minimum GPA of 2.30. A candidate for a staff office, or to become an official member, must have a minimum GPA of 2.0.
2. A candidate for an election must be a regular member in good standing.
3. A candidate for an election must be in good standing with the University.
4. An executive officer must be a regular member of the GSA for two (2) semesters consecutively. A staff officer may only be a regular member for one (1).
C. Terms of office
1. Full term of office for all officers shall be one year.
D. Elections
1. Elections will be held during the last week of April during the regular organization meeting. Candidates must be present at the meeting to be elected. A majority vote from the attending members will decide the officers.
2. If an officer decides to resign their position, a special election is held the next regular meeting time. If it is a staff office, executives only vote.
3. If an officer is impeached, elections are held the next regular meeting. If it is a staff office, executives only vote.
4. If an officer is unable to hold office during the following Spring semester, a special election will be held during the last meeting of the Fall semester.
E. Eligibility to Vote
1. Must be a regular member of the GSA and followed all requirements as a regular member.
2. Associate members and new members cannot vote.
3. All those who want to vote must be at the last meeting in April, unless the regular members vote to aloud absentee votes.
F. Impeachment of an Officer
1. Must have a probable cause to impeach an officer.
2. These cause(s) must be violating CU rules and regulations, GSA's constitution, ethical mistreatment of their office, hazing, not showing up to meetings as a regular member should, and/or not doing their described task.
3. If probable cause is found or believed, the excuser(s) must talk to the faculty advisor(s) who sets up an executive meeting. Any member of the GSA can bring charges against an executive or staff officer.
4. A special executive meeting must be held before the next regular meeting.
5. Only the executive officers, excuser(s), defendant(s), and faculty advisor(s) are allowed in the special meeting.
6. All charges against the defendant(s) for impeachment must be discussed at this special meeting only.
7. Once all arguments are given, a secret vote is held. Only executives, who are not charged with the impeachment, are allowed to vote. If a tie occurs, faculty advisor(s) must break the tie.
8. If charges still stand in the executive meeting, the defendant(s) temporarily lose their regular and executive/staff rights until the next regular meeting, which must discuss an official impeachment of an officer. All regular members vote of impeachment in the next meeting.
9. To have an impeachment, there must be 2/3 majority vote among the attendant regular, staff, and executive members. This does not include the defendant(s) or absentee votes.
A. If there is a 2/3 majority, the defendant(s) loses all executive/staff and regular membership rights, and an allotted time/punishment is determined by the executives and faculty advisor(s) in an executive meeting. A special election will be held the next regular meeting with the same rules and rights as a regular election. The impeached cannot run for election again for two years.
B. If there is not a 2/3 majority, all charges are dropped.
ARTICLE V MEETINGS
A. Regular meetings shall be held weekly.
B. The President may call special meetings at his or her designation, by informing the Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer twenty-four hours in advance of such meeting.
C. Before speaking out, and especially so not to interrupt, a member should raise their right hand to indicate that they would like to speak up.
1. Initiating Motions - Motions are presented by obtaining the floor. Wait until the last speaker is finished. Address the President by saying, "I move to." When the President recognizes the member, he/she will make the motion by speaking in a clear and concise manner stating the motion affirmatively. Another member will second the motion or the President will call for a second. If there is no second to the motion, it is lost. If it is seconded, discussion ensues, then the President calls for a vote.
2. New members and associate members are more than welcome to speak up and may have a motion; however, they cannot vote.
D. Voting - The method of vote on any motion depends on the situation and by-laws of your organization. The two methods used to vote by the GSA are:
1. By raising hand - The president asks those in favor to raise their right hand, those opposed to keep their hand down. An abstention by any member is allowed. The advisor will vote only in case it is necessary to break a tie.
2. By ballot (usually for elections) - Members write their vote on a slip of paper. Votes are collected and counted by the President. Any member may move for an exact count. The advisor will vote only in case it is necessary to break a tie.
PREAMBLE
The mission of the Concord University, hereafter referred to as CU, Gay-Straight Alliance, hereafter referred to as GSA, is one of learning, support, understanding, tolerance, and acceptance. Operating under the ethos that every CU experience in diversity is a learning experience, the CU GSA believes the immense diversity in sexual orientation among its students and personnel provides an excellent opportunity to learn from one another. We will strive to provide a safe and friendly atmosphere in which students may learn and personnel may perform their duties. We will accomplish this by utilizing educational programs and the promotion of tolerance, understanding, and acceptance through social awareness. Desirous to end the spread of hatred, homophobia, and related harassment and violence, the CU GSA will work diligently to promote unity in our school and community.
ARTICLE I - NAME AND BIRTH DATE
This organization shall be known as the Gay - Straight Alliance at Concord University as of September 24, 2009.
ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP
A. Membership is open to all persons without regard to sexual orientation, race, sex, gender, color, ethnic origin, religious affiliate, age, and physical or psychological disability.
1. Regular Membership - All full and part-time students of Concord University are eligible to be considered full-time members. A member must maintain two meetings per month, ten in each semester. Within reason, a member can get up to one excuse per month. Also attend three events each semester. If they do not follow these requirements, they will be considered an Associate member until requirements are met.
a) To be officially excused if you must miss a meeting(s), an e-mail should be sent to the Secretary with the excuse.
2. New/Associate Members - Those who are going to Concord University full or part time and have not been a part of GSA at any time or a previous member of GSA. For a new or associate member to gain regular member, they must attend at least three meetings and two events. Then they must follow the requirements for a regular member.
3. Alumni - Must be a Concord Graduate and must be on good standing with Concord University and GSA before graduating.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP EXPECTATIONS
A. The GSA will not tolerate discrimination from within its membership or from outside its membership, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age or disability, at any program or activity offered under the control of the GSA. Nor will the GSA tolerate any
form of harassment from within its membership or from outside its membership.
B. In accordance with the policies of CU and all national organizations represented on campus, hazing will not be permitted. All acts of hazing by any organization member are forbidden, as defined by the University.
C. As members of diverse orientations, we need to respect others in our organization. Any personal information divulged and GSA related events shall stay within the group. This means what happens in the meetings stays in the meetings and NO “OUTING” OTHERS.
1. This includes any and all social networking sites (i.e. facebook, myspace, twitter, etc.), text messages, or general conversations about what is discussed in GSA meetings.
2. If gossip regarding personal information about other members of the organization is brought to the attention of the officers, the person who is disrespecting its members by divulging information that was meant strictly for GSA may risk losing membership or coming to GSA events.
ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS
A. Officer Duties
1. Faculty Advisor: The Faculty Advisor(s) is a liaison between the club and the faculty, staff and community. Furthermore, the Faculty Advisor provides assistance with fundraising, events coordination and club organization.
2. President: The President is the spokesperson for the club, and as such is expected to attend all meetings and club functions and display exemplary leadership qualities. The President is also responsible for all appointed positions. The President shall oversee all meetings.
3. Vice-President: The Vice-President shall create committees for GSA activities when deemed necessary, oversee all committees and club functions. In the event that responsibilities lie unattended, shall be responsible for recruiting new committee members or canceling committee functions or events at the VP's discretion. Discretionary decisions are subject to review by club officers.
4. Treasurer: Duties of the Treasurer are to keep accurate records of incoming or outgoing monies with regard to the funds of our treasury. Will keep receipts and make an accurate accounting of all said monies at each weekly meeting.
5. Secretary: The Secretary is expected to attend all general and officers meetings and keep minutes for both. Copies of all general meeting minutes are to be made available to the club members and the Faculty Advisor. The Secretary is to keep both hard copies and the master disk of club productions and articles. A copy of all club productions and articles is to be kept updated in the SGA office. The Secretary also must keep attendance of all members for meetings and events, and give a copy to the President and Faculty Advisor(s).
6. Public Relations: The Public Relations representative (PR) is expected to handle all public relations including but not limited to literature and press. The PR is also responsible for making sure all events are documented as well as serve as a liaison at public functions. PR is not an executive office, it is a staff office. If the PR representative is impeached/quiets, the executive officer can have special meetings to vote on a new PR representative.
7. Fellowship Chair: The Fellowship Chair is expected to have at least one fellowship per month for all members of GSA. All fellowships must fellow all CU rules and regulations, GSA constitution, federal and state laws and rules, and any rules that may apply to the public or private venue. This office can be optional. If not used, the Vice-President would take these responsibilities. Fellowship Chair is an executive office if used.
8. Fundraising Chair: The Fundraising Chair is expected to have fundraisers to benefit the GSA as least two times a semester. All proceeds from fundraisers must be given to the GSA, unless previously discussed to be given to another organization/charity/etc. This office is optional. If not used, the treasurer would take these responsibilities. Fundraising Chair is an executive office if used.
9. Student Government Association (SGA) Representative: SGA Rep must attend all SGA regular and committee(s) meetings. If unable to make an SGA meeting, SGA Rep must contact President or Vice-President, within five hours of the SGA regular or committee(s) meeting(s). SGA Rep is a staff office. If the SGA Rep is impeached or quits, the executive officers can have a special meeting to vote on a new SGA Rep.
B. Qualifications
1. A candidate for an executive office must have a minimum GPA of 2.30. A candidate for a staff office, or to become an official member, must have a minimum GPA of 2.0.
2. A candidate for an election must be a regular member in good standing.
3. A candidate for an election must be in good standing with the University.
4. An executive officer must be a regular member of the GSA for two (2) semesters consecutively. A staff officer may only be a regular member for one (1).
C. Terms of office
1. Full term of office for all officers shall be one year.
D. Elections
1. Elections will be held during the last week of April during the regular organization meeting. Candidates must be present at the meeting to be elected. A majority vote from the attending members will decide the officers.
2. If an officer decides to resign their position, a special election is held the next regular meeting time. If it is a staff office, executives only vote.
3. If an officer is impeached, elections are held the next regular meeting. If it is a staff office, executives only vote.
4. If an officer is unable to hold office during the following Spring semester, a special election will be held during the last meeting of the Fall semester.
E. Eligibility to Vote
1. Must be a regular member of the GSA and followed all requirements as a regular member.
2. Associate members and new members cannot vote.
3. All those who want to vote must be at the last meeting in April, unless the regular members vote to aloud absentee votes.
F. Impeachment of an Officer
1. Must have a probable cause to impeach an officer.
2. These cause(s) must be violating CU rules and regulations, GSA's constitution, ethical mistreatment of their office, hazing, not showing up to meetings as a regular member should, and/or not doing their described task.
3. If probable cause is found or believed, the excuser(s) must talk to the faculty advisor(s) who sets up an executive meeting. Any member of the GSA can bring charges against an executive or staff officer.
4. A special executive meeting must be held before the next regular meeting.
5. Only the executive officers, excuser(s), defendant(s), and faculty advisor(s) are allowed in the special meeting.
6. All charges against the defendant(s) for impeachment must be discussed at this special meeting only.
7. Once all arguments are given, a secret vote is held. Only executives, who are not charged with the impeachment, are allowed to vote. If a tie occurs, faculty advisor(s) must break the tie.
8. If charges still stand in the executive meeting, the defendant(s) temporarily lose their regular and executive/staff rights until the next regular meeting, which must discuss an official impeachment of an officer. All regular members vote of impeachment in the next meeting.
9. To have an impeachment, there must be 2/3 majority vote among the attendant regular, staff, and executive members. This does not include the defendant(s) or absentee votes.
A. If there is a 2/3 majority, the defendant(s) loses all executive/staff and regular membership rights, and an allotted time/punishment is determined by the executives and faculty advisor(s) in an executive meeting. A special election will be held the next regular meeting with the same rules and rights as a regular election. The impeached cannot run for election again for two years.
B. If there is not a 2/3 majority, all charges are dropped.
ARTICLE V MEETINGS
A. Regular meetings shall be held weekly.
B. The President may call special meetings at his or her designation, by informing the Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer twenty-four hours in advance of such meeting.
C. Before speaking out, and especially so not to interrupt, a member should raise their right hand to indicate that they would like to speak up.
1. Initiating Motions - Motions are presented by obtaining the floor. Wait until the last speaker is finished. Address the President by saying, "I move to." When the President recognizes the member, he/she will make the motion by speaking in a clear and concise manner stating the motion affirmatively. Another member will second the motion or the President will call for a second. If there is no second to the motion, it is lost. If it is seconded, discussion ensues, then the President calls for a vote.
2. New members and associate members are more than welcome to speak up and may have a motion; however, they cannot vote.
D. Voting - The method of vote on any motion depends on the situation and by-laws of your organization. The two methods used to vote by the GSA are:
1. By raising hand - The president asks those in favor to raise their right hand, those opposed to keep their hand down. An abstention by any member is allowed. The advisor will vote only in case it is necessary to break a tie.
2. By ballot (usually for elections) - Members write their vote on a slip of paper. Votes are collected and counted by the President. Any member may move for an exact count. The advisor will vote only in case it is necessary to break a tie.