Bennies in Business Constitution

Bennies In Business Constitution

Article I: Name and Purpose

Section 1: Bennies in Business
Section 2: Purpose/Mission
Mission Statement: To provide Bennies with the opportunity to network with other women in the
professional realm and to grow professionally in a positive environment. The club will recognize
and follow The Bennie Book. The club will abide by the policies of CSB/SJU.

Article II: Membership

Section 1: Eligibility for Membership
Open to any and all currently enrolled CSB students. Non-students are not allowed to be a
participating members however they can be supportive affiliates. Any acting member can
participate in the voting process or run for an officer position. There is no membership limit.
Section 2: Voting Member Criteria
Officers and official members have voting rights. Official members must regularly attend (60% or
more of) events and meetings. The Executive Board is chosen by the previous year’s officers
with nominations accepted from official members.
Section 3: Removal of Members
1. Email notification of offense as a first warning.
2. Email notification of offense and meeting with officers within two weeks of offense as a
second warning.
3. Removal from Bennies in Business through a meeting with the officers.

Article III: Officers

Section 1: Officer Qualifications
Officers must be Bennies who are motivated to empower other Bennies in a positive manner.
Section 2: Elected Officers
Non-hierarchical structure consisting of 4-5 Officers who will be the Executive Board. These
officers will run meetings, plan events, and present to Saint Ben’s Senate and JCB. There will
be one officer position dedicated to managing the club’s finances. This officer will be called the
Treasurer. The officers will be the main contacts for the St. Ben’s Senate and JCB.
Section 3: Duties of Officers
Officers will be required to serve a semester long term with option to continue on until they
graduate. Officer duties include: plan and conduct meetings, plan and execute events, provide
guidance and mentorship to other Bennies in the club, reach out to former Alumnae and create
connections for the club, be the primary contacts with the institutions, select future officers. The
Treasurer will manage financial records and processes.
Section 4: Vacancy in Office
In the event that all four officers are vacant, the power to appoint new officers is in the hands of
the members through a majority vote.
Section 5: Removal of Officers
A petition to remove the officer in question must be submitted to another officer. This petition
must contain signatures of at least 51% of voting members. There will then be a special meeting
to determine whether or not the officer should be removed. The officer shall have an opportunity
to present a defense either in person or writing. Then, members will vote on the removal. ⅔ vote
of voting members shall decide upon removal.
Section 6: Appeal of Removal of Officers
The officers can appeal their removal if they feel it is not just. The appeal process includes a
recall of the vote previously stated. Officers can appeal their removal only once.

Article IV: Elections

Section 1: Nomination Process
The current officers will draft an application which in turn will be sent out to the members.
Members will then turn in applications to officers via email and the selection process will begin.
Section 2: Election
After receiving all the applications, the current officers will select the next semester’s officers.
Each current officer will select their top 4 applicants. Then from the selected group of applicants,
the group will vote on who they believe will best fit the positions. The group will vote on the
applicants based on the students’ involvement in the club, qualifying experiences, and
commitment level. These elections will take place each spring semester unless all current
officers will be continuing into the following fall semester. In the event of a tie, both of the
applicants will be offered the officer position.
Section 3: Special Elections
In the event of an officer leaving or being removed, the same election process will take place as
stated in Section 2. However, a decision on the new officer must be made within 3 weeks of
vacancy occurring.

Article V: Advisor

Section 1: Selection
Officers have the power to appoint advisors. Advisors must be current CSB/SJU employees. If
the majority of the Officers are in agreement, then they have the power to elect a different
advisor.
Section 2: Duties
The advisor will take a minor role. He or she may help with any conflicts the club may face. It is
at the Officers and members’ discretion whether or not to involve the advisor in club issues. For
example, the removal of an officer and or any financial concerns.

Article VI: Meetings

Section 1: Regular Meeting/Club Activities
Meetings will be twice a month. The time and occurrence of meetings will be left to the current
officers to decide. Meetings will be announced via CSB/SJU email and/or on a Facebook group
and on other social media (Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, etc.)
Section 2: Special Meetings
Special meetings will be called at the judgment of the officers. Members will be notified via
email and social media. They will be run similarly to regular meetings.
Section 3: Parliamentary Authority
Officers will plan meetings and send out agendas before each meeting. The end of the meetings
will be left for new and/or unfinished business. Members will be encouraged to participate in the
planning process and their input will be greatly appreciated.
Section 4: Quorum*
⅔ of membership must be present for official club business to occur.

Article VII: Committees

Section 1: Committee Structure
There will be 3 committees within the club. Each committee is responsible for different tasks
(event planning, outreach, professional development). Members will choose which committee
they would like to serve on. The committees will be overseen by the officers.
Alumnae Outreach Committee - reach out to alumnae to create connections, bring alumnae in
to speak to group, plan site visits, etc.
Social Event Planning - plan events such as book clubs, pizza parties, movie nights, coffee
meetups, etc.
Professional Development Committee - Plan events in which members can grow
professionally such as: resume workshops, mock interviews, networking events, etc.

Article VIII: Finances

Section 1: Saint Ben’s Senate
The Bennies in Business club will present to the Saint Ben’s Senate for funding allocations.
If allocated resources, the Bennies in Business club will follow all SBS and institutional
regulations, and keep all club funds in on-campus accounts.
Section 2: Honorariums
No Honorariums will be given to members.
Section 3: Dues (optional)
Members will not be required to pay dues.

Article IX: Amendments

Section 1: Ratification
Ratification of amendments must be drafted and approved by ⅔ of the Officers and voting
members.
Section 2: Submittal to Department of Student Activities and Joint Club Board
Any changes made to this constitution must be submitted to the Department of Student
Activities and the JCB.

Article X

The Bennies in Business agrees that its activities, mission statement and goals are
consistent with the Benedictine Values.

Article XI

The Bennies in Business admits students without regard to their race, religion, color, sex, age,
sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and other
activities, generally accorded or made available to members of the organization.

Article XII

The Bennies in Business considers hazing to be a degrading and destructive activity which is
inconsistent with the standards of this student organization. The Bennies in Business
recognizes the dignity of every person and opposes all forms of hazing.

Date of recognition/revision: 9/12/19