College Republican Constitution

College Republican Constitution

Article I: Name and Purpose

Section 1: Name The name of this organization shall be the CSB/SJU College Republicans, hereinafter referred to in this document as CR.

Section 2: Purpose/Mission To make known and promote the principles of the Republican Party among members of the CSB/SJU campus and community; to aid in the election of Republican candidates at all levels of government; to encourage and assist in the organization and active functioning of the Republican Party at the local, state, and national levels; to develop political skills and leadership abilities among Republican students as preparation for future service by them to the party and the community.

Section 3: Affiliation The CR shall be affiliated with the Minnesota Chapter of the College Republicans.

Article II: Membership

Section 1: Eligibility for Membership The CR shall be open to all CSB/SJU students. Members attending at least half of the meetings shall be held in good standing. Faculty, staff, and other non-students are allowed to attend meetings and events, upon approval by the chair, but are not granted voting rights.

Section 2: Voting Member Criteria Any CSB/SJU student, having attended at least one meeting of the CR, shall be granted voting status.

Section 3: Removal of Members A petition to remove a member must be submitted to an officer. This petition must contain the signatures of half of officers. When such petition is received, the Chair shall call a meeting of the club officers to determine whether or not the member should be removed. Grounds for removal shall be presented by the Chair. The member in question shall be provided an opportunity to present a defense either in person or in writing. A vote 2/3 of the present officers shall be required to remove the member in question.

Article III: Officers

Section 1: Officer Qualifications Any member of the CR is eligible to be an officer.

Section 2: Elected Officers The officers of the CR shall be Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary.

The Chair may create additional positions if they deem necessary.

Section 3: Duties of Officers The Chair shall preside at all meetings, call special meetings, run the election process and be the primary contact with the institution.

The Vice Chair shall assume the President's duties in his/her absences, schedule meeting rooms/facilities, act as the primary JCB contact, and carry out any additional duties as delegated by the Chair. The Vice Chair shall also serve as Parliamentarian.

The Treasurer shall prepare the yearly budget, keep all financial records, submit monthly audits to the CFB, prepare any spontaneous requests, handle any other financial matters, and carry out any additional duties as delegated by the Chair.

The Secretary shall act record keeper and club historian, draft email correspondence, keep and update a list of club members, and carry out any additional duties as delegated by the Chair.

Section 4: Vacancy in Office In the event a vacancy should occur, the subsequent officer shall fulfill his/her responsibilities until a special election is held (i.e., if the Treasurer leaves office, the Secretary shall take over).

Section 5: Removal of Officers A petition to remove the officer in question must be submitted to another officer. This petition must contain the signatures of half of the officers. When such petition is received, the Chair shall call a meeting of the club board to determine whether or not the officer should be removed. Grounds for removal shall be presented by the Chair. The officer in question shall be provided an opportunity to present a defense either in person or in writing. A vote 2/3 of the present officers shall be required to remove the officer in question. If the petition is against the Chair, the Vice Chair shall temporarily assume the Chair's duties until such time as the Chair's fate is decided.

Section 6: Appeal of Removal of Officers Any removed officer shall be granted an opportunity to appeal to the membership. A vote shall then be held, and a 2/3 of the general voting membership shall be required to reinstate the removed officer.

Article IV: Elections

Section 1 Nominations of candidates for office in the CR shall be made from the floor by any member present.

Section 2: Election All officers shall be elected at a regular CR meeting during the spring semester. Officers shall be elected by an absolute majority for those present and voting, who are members held in good standing. Newly-elected officers will hold their position for the following Academic year.

Section 3: Special Elections Vacancies occurring among the officers shall be filled by the election of the Executive Board at the first meeting following the occurrence of the vacancy, provided however that notice that the election is to occur must be included in an official notice of the Board meeting. A person elected to fill a vacancy shall serve as officer until the next annual election.

Article V: Advisors

Section 1: Advisor Selection The Chair shall find and secure an advisor for the CR.

Section 2: Duties The advisor shall participate in the development of the yearly goals of the club, aid in any mediation with Student Activities, Leadership Development, and/or the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University, serve as an advocate for the club to the faculty and administration, and act in any other capacity the Chair or Executive Board see fit.

Article VI: Meetings

Section 1: Regular Meetings/Club Activities Meetings shall be called by the Chair as deemed necessary.

Section 2: Special Meetings Special meetings shall be called by the Chair. The Chair must contact all member in good standing at least 24 hours before special meetings are to begin.

Section 3: Parliamentary Authority The Chair shall preside over all meetings and will use Robert's Rules of Order in the proceedings if deemed necessary.

Section 4: Quorum A minimum of 10 of eligible voting members must be present to take any votes.

Article VII: Committees

Section 1: Committee Structure The Chair shall form committees as he/she sees fit. The Chair shall determine the responsibilities and duties of the committee at its formation

Article VIII: Finances

Section 1: Co-Funding Board The CR shall annually apply for CFB funds and shall abide by all CFB regulations.

Section 2: Honorariums No member or officer shall receive honorariums or stipends from the CR.

Article IX: Amendments

Section 1: Ratification Proposed amendments to this constitution must be presented to the President. Upon receiving an amendment, the President will inform all members in good standing one week prior to meeting about the proposed constitutional amendments. A minimum of 2/3 of members present and voting must support the amendment.

Section 2: Submittal to Administration All changes to this constitution must be reported to the office of Student Activities and Leadership and the Joint Club Board.

Article X: Discrimination The CR 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 member of the organization.

Article XI: Hazing  The CR considers hazing to be a degrading and destructive activity which is inconsistent with the standards of this student organization. The CR recognizes the dignity of every person and opposes all forms of hazing.

Article XII: The CR agrees that its activities, mission statement and goals are consistent with the Benedictine Values.