Constitution

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American Civil Liberties Union of Mount Holyoke College Chapter
Organization Constitution

Drafted November 20, 2003
Revised September 15, 2004


ARTICLE I: Purpose and Status

Section I. In order to promote discussion and awareness of civil liberties issues and to safeguard civil liberties, we hereby establish The American Civil Liberties Union of Mount Holyoke College.

Section II. The American Civil Liberties Union of Mount Holyoke College sets out to protect and promote civil liberties on campus and in the surrounding area and to serve as an arm to the national and state parent organizations.

Section III. The American Civil Liberties Union of Mount Holyoke College shall be a chapter of the Massachusetts Civil Liberties Union and an affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union.

Section IV. The members of The American Civil Liberties Union of Mount Holyoke College shall retain full control over its policies.

ARTICLE II: Conduct

Section I. The American Civil Liberties Union of Mount Holyoke College is an official Mount Holyoke College organization and shall act in strict compliance with the Mount Holyoke College Honor Code and Student Programs Regulations.

Section II. The American Civil Liberties Union of Mount Holyoke College does not purport to represent the views or opinions of Mount Holyoke College.

ARTICLE III: Membership

Section I. Membership shall be open to all current students, faculty, and staff of Mount Holyoke College, regardless of age, creed, race, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, or status as a veteran.

Section II. A full member consists of one who attends at least two meetings each month shall be considered an active full member of the organization. Attendance is subject to verification by the Executive Board.

Section III. Since The American Civil Liberties Union of Mount Holyoke College is an undergraduate organization, only matriculated students of the College shall be full members, and all others shall be associate members. Extensions to Five College Undergraduate students as full members shall be permitted.

Section IV. Members are encouraged to become members of American Civil Liberties Union, but this is not required, nor are any dues required to participate in the Chapter.

Section V. Members are encouraged to participate in ACLUMASS, Dartmouth College ACLU, Harvard University CLU and The American Civil Liberties Union of Mount Holyoke College joint functions.

ARTICLE IV: Officers

Section I. The officers of the Chapter shall include an Executive Board consisting of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Webmaster.

A) The President shall be responsible for contacts with the Mount Holyoke administration, the American Civil Liberties Union, governmental bodies, and other groups.

B) The Vice president shall be responsible for internal education, by informing the board of relevant civil liberties issues and current events, local and national, and shall lead any political education events.

C) The Secretary shall keep minutes, be responsible for publications, newsletters, posters, and other applicable media.

D) The Treasurer shall oversee the finances of the chapter. An accurate record of all income and expenses shall be maintained at all times. Receipts shall be written for all contributions and expenses. The financial records of the Chapter shall be subject to audit by the Executive Board and Mount Holyoke College Student Programs at any time.

E) The Webmaster shall maintain the chapter website.

F) Committees may be formed by the Executive Board to address various topics. Committee chairs shall be designated to supervise the activities of each committee.

Section II. The Executive Board shall vote on any pressing decision facing the Chapter. No member of the Board has veto power. In the case of a tied vote, the full and associate members shall break the tie at a meeting. The vote must have been previously announced.

ARTICLE V: Advisor

Section I. The faculty advisor is chosen by the executive board under strict compliance with the following criteria:

A) The advisor must be associated in some way with the ACLU.

B) She/he must have pertinent connections within the Five College community.

C) She/he must be willing and able to attend monthly board meetings.

ARTICLE VI: Election and Removal of Officers

Section I. Officers shall be elected annually by the members of the Chapter. Elections shall be held in December, and the term of office shall begin January 1st of the next year. Members must be notified of elections and available positions at least two weeks prior to the election.

Section II. All members shall have one vote by secret ballot. Any active full member may nominate himself or herself or any other active full member for a position.

A) Elections will begin with the first position named in the Constitution and will proceed from the Executive Board to committee chairs. If there is only one contested position in the Executive Board, or among the committees, the contested position will be voted upon first. The order of voting upon positions does not imply any hierarchy among the positions of the Executive Board.

B) Each candidate will speak for no more than five minutes before a vote takes place. Those who are not elected to a position may be considered for a remaining position if they desire to be so considered.

Section III. New positions can be created during elections by a two-thirds majority vote of the board. Elections may be called at any other time by a two-thirds majority vote of the board.

Section IV. Procedure for removal of an officer shall comply strictly with the following:

A) The removal of an Executive Board member from office is brought to the board by board consensus excluding the member in question.

B) The member shall be asked to resign from the Executive Board following a 2/3-majority Executive Board vote in favor thereof.

C) The member must be given the opportunity to present his/her case to the organization at large prior to the vote.

ARTICLE VII: Meetings

Section I. Regular meetings shall be held weekly. Executive Board meetings shall be held bi-monthly and by special arrangement as necessary.

Section II. Special meetings shall be held for the removal of officers as arranged by an active full member who feels the need for such event. Other special meetings shall be called upon by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE VIII: Amendments and Bylaws

Section I. An amendment or bylaw may be presented by any full member of the Chapter and requires a 2/3 majority in favor in order to be instituted. A two-week notice of the vote must be given to all members of The American Civil Liberties Union of Mount Holyoke College. The Executive Board reserves the right to call an emergency vote with one-week notice.

 

This site is maintained by Sarah Owocki. She can be contacted at owock20s@mtholyoke.edu