MHCR Constitution

Mount Holyoke College Republicans Constitution

Written: February 06, 2003

Passed: March 13, 2003

Article I. Name and Affiliation

SECTION 1. The name of this organization shall be the Mount Holyoke College Republicans, hereinafter referred to in this document as the College Republicans, CR, or MHCR.

SECTION 2. The Mount Holyoke College Republicans shall be the recognized campus affiliate of the Massachusetts Alliance of College Republicans, and of the College Republican National Committee.

Article II. Purpose

SECTION 1. To make known and promote the principles of the Republican Party among members of the Mount Holyoke College campus and community, and to provide support for other Mount Holyoke College students who choose to identify themselves as Republicans or conservatives.

SECTION 2. To aid in the election of Republican candidates at all levels of government.

SECTION 3. To encourage and assist in the organization and active functioning of the Republican Party at the local, state, and national levels.

SECTION 4. To develop political skills and leadership abilities among the Republican students as a preparation for future service by them to the Party and the community.

Article III. Membership

SECTION 1. Any person affiliated or associated with the Mount Holyoke College community may apply for membership. Membership application information may be obtained from the Secretary.

SECTION 2. Annual dues are required for membership in the MHCR. The Executive Board shall set the amount annually. Only dues-paying members shall have a voice in the club and be eligible to vote in elections, run for an elected position, or to be appointed to a position. Non dues-paying members are eligible to participate in all other club activities and events. If a member is unable to pay dues, but would like to be considered eligible to run for a position, be appointed to a position, or vote in an election, the Executive Board may wave the dues for that member.

Article IV. Executive Board and Officers

SECTION 1. There shall be an Executive Board, which shall govern the Mount Holyoke College Republicans.

SECTION 2. The Executive Board shall consist of the officers of the College Republicans. The officers that compromise the Mount Holyoke College Republicans shall be the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and Public Relations Officer. Any appointed officers shall have a voice, but no vote, at all Executive Board Meetings.

SECTION 3. The Executive Board shall introduce, approve, and implement all actions and activities necessary and proper for the functioning of the College Republicans and not inconsistent with this Constitution or the Bylaws.

SECTION 4. The main duties and powers of the officers of the MHCR shall be as follows:

The Chairperson shall:

	Direct and coordinate all activities of the MHCR.
	Preside at all meetings of the MHCR, both General and Executive, with the exception of the annual General Election Meeting.
	Serve as spokeswoman for the MHCR and its Executive Board.
	Represent the MHCR in negotiations with other organizations and the College Republican National Committee, subject to approval of the Executive Board.
	Prepare the annual budget for the Ways and Means Committee in conjunction with the Treasurer.
	Have check signing privileges along with the Treasurer.
	Have final say over all matters that do not require approval or a vote by the Executive board.

The Vice Chairperson shall:

	Preside at meetings in absence of the President.
	Head special projects at the direction of the Chairperson.
	The Vice Chairperson shall become Chairperson in the event that the presidency is vacated.

The Secretary shall:

	Record the minutes of all Executive Board meetings and general meetings.
	Distribute minutes of the Executive Board meetings to all officers within 1 week of the board meeting and post all general meeting minutes on the MHCR website within 1 week of the general meeting.
	Record the attendance of Executive Board members at the Executive Board meetings, general membership meetings, and/or any activities that replace the above meetings.
	Maintain all MHCR files.
	Maintain MHCR membership and mailing lists.
	Be responsible for club mail.
	Be responsible for all alumnae mailings, including fundraising letters.
	Maintain the official MHCR website.

The Treasurer shall:

	Maintain all MHCR funds, including dues.
	Keep accurate financial records and prepare statements on demand of the Executive Board and at every general meeting.
	Prepare the annual budget for the Ways and Means Committee in conjunction with the Chairperson.
	Prepare any grant applications.
	Have check signing authority.
	Prepare annual fundraising initiatives.

The Public Relations Officer shall:

	Prepare any communication with the media, both on and off campus, subject to approval of the Chairperson.
	Be responsible for event publicity.
	Be responsible for recruitment publicity.
	Assist in the maintenance of the official MHCR website.
	Prepare annual club-building initiatives.

SECTION 5. The Chairperson may appoint members to positions that aid the elected officers. Suggested, but not required, positions are as follows:

The Alumnae Liaison shall:

	Assist the Secretary in researching former MHCR club lists and conservative alumnae lists.
	Assist the Secretary in the planning and mailing of the annual alumnae newsletter.
	Work in conjunction with, and with the approval of, the Secretary.

The Finance Committee shall:

	Assist the Treasurer with all fundraising initiatives.
	Assist the Treasurer with soliciting of donations from alumnae or community members and for applying for grants.
	Keep record of all donor lists.
	Work in conjunction with, and with the approval of, the Treasurer.

The Five College Representative shall:

	Attend all Five College CR meetings.
	Attend as many Five College CR events as possible.
	Be the liaison between Mount Holyoke College, Amherst College, Hampshire College, Smith College, and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
	Report Five College CR events and information at general meetings.
	If the Five College Representative has no had experience with the Five Colleges, the Vice Chairperson may accompany the Five College Representative to as many meetings as she feels necessary.
	Work in conjunction with, and with the approval of, the Vice Chairperson.

The Publications Director shall:

	Write and submit articles to represent the MHCR viewpoint to both on and off campus news vehicles, subject to approval of the Public Relations Officer.
	Assist the Public Relations Officer with any media publicity.
	Work in conjunction with, and with the approval of, the Public Relations Officer.

The Recruitment Director shall:

	Prepare recruitment and retention initiatives several times a semester.
	Stay in touch with designated residence hall representatives that will act as liaisons to each dorm.
	Work in conjunction with, and with the approval of, the Vice Chairperson.

The Student Government Association (SGA) Representative shall:

	Represent the interests of the College Republicans at all SGA meetings and events.
	Make weekly reports to the club regarding ongoing SGA debates, issues, events, etc.
	If the SGA Representative has not had experience in the Senate before, the Vice Chairperson will accompany the SGA Representative to as many meetings as she feels necessary.
	Work in conjunction with, and with the approval of, the Vice Chairperson.

The Social Chair shall:

	Be responsible for planning club-building events throughout the year.
	Assist the Public Relations Officer with event planning and publicity.
	Work in conjunction with, and with the approval of, the Public Relations Officer.

Article V. Elections

SECTION 1. By April 1, the Chairperson shall appoint 3 club members to serve as an Election Committee, subject to approval of the Board. The names and email addresses of the Election Committee members must be emailed to the MHCR mailing list immediately after such appointment. The Chairperson shall not be a member of this committee. The highest-ranking officer named to the committee shall serve as the chairperson of the committee, or if no officer sits on the committee, the MHCR Chairperson shall name one of the three to the position of Chairperson of the Election Committee. This committee shall conduct club elections. No member of this committee shall run for office, however all members of the committee are permitted to vote in the election.

SECTION 2. The Election Committee shall call for the election of club officers between April 1 and April 30 of each year, to be announced in writing to all members not less than three weeks in advance.

SECTION 3. Only club members in good standing as of 11:59 pm two weeks prior to the date of elections shall be eligible to vote or run for office at the said election.

SECTION 4. Eligible members intending to run for the offices of Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, or Public Relations Officer shall declare their intention to do so to the Elections Committee no later than 11:59 pm two weeks prior to the date of elections.

SECTION 5. The Election Committee Chairperson and the MHCR Secretary shall prepare a list of members eligible to vote and distribute this list to all declared candidates by 5:00 pm 3 days after the close of membership eligibility. Any campaigning or soliciting of votes of eligible members is permitted until the time of the election. Campaigning and soliciting of votes is not required and need not be announced to the candidates.

SECTION 6. Officers shall be elected by a majority of those present and voting, and the election shall be conducted by secret ballot. These ballots shall be pre-made and official – no other ballots, written or electronic, will be accepted or tallied. No absentee ballots will be accepted, or tallied. No votes by proxy are allowed and write-in candidates shall be disregarded.

SECTION 7. Members in good standing studying abroad may vote and run in any election. They may request a statement from each candidate, not to exceed 500 words, from the Elections Committee. They must request an official ballot via email from the Election Committee and must return this ballot via an email to each member of the Election Committee by 5 pm the night of the election. Members in good standing studying abroad are the only members that may vote via absentee electronic ballot. Any lost electronic ballots are null and void unless resubmitted to the appropriate parties before the deadline.

SECTION 8. Each candidate shall have 2 minutes to give a speech of her candidacy at the election meeting. All other candidates vying for the same position will wait outside of the room during each speech. Members have 2 minutes to ask questions after each speech.

SECTION 9. Newly elected officers shall take office the first Monday following the election.

SECTION 10. In the case of a tie, the Election Committee shall hold an automatic recount. If it is still determined that there is, in fact, a tie, the elected official shall be determined by lottery. Two pieces (or more if the situation requires) of paper will be placed in a cup, one marked “Elected” and the other marked “Not elected”. The Chairperson of the Election Committee will flip a coin, designating one side to each candidate. The candidate who wins the coin toss can choose to pick out of the cup, or to let the other candidate choose. Whichever candidate chooses the “Elected” piece of paper will take office.

SECTION 11. Nullification: (A) If any members present, eligible, and voting at the meeting shall contest the results of the election upon reasonable grounds, she must present her grievance in writing to the Chairperson of the Election Committee within 24 hours. The committee shall then have 5 days to investigate that member’s claim and reach a decision regarding the validity of the election. (B) If any race or races are determined to be null and void, a new election shall be held within 10 school days. Eligibility of voters and candidates will remain unchanged as described above. The current officers in the affected positions shall remain in their positions until the election.

SECTION 12. Vacancies occurring among the officers shall be filled by the election of the Executive Board at the first meeting following the occurrence of vacancy, provided however that notice that 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. If the Chairperson position were to become vacant, the Vice Chairperson shall become Chairperson.

Article VI. Impeachment

SECTION 1. Any officer who, during her term in office, has demonstrated disloyalty to the Republican Party, negligence, or incompetence in the performance of her prescribed Constitutional duties, or willfully impeded the CR program, may be impeached and removed from office.

SECTION 2. Specific charges against the impeached officer must be approved by absolute majority of the officers of the CR, excluding the officer being impeached, at a meeting of the Executive Board.

SECTION 3. From the approval of the charges until the next meeting of the Executive Board, the impeached officer shall remain in her office and be allowed to prepare her defense to charges.

SECTION 4. At the first Executive Board meeting after the meeting in which the charges were approved, an officer or other person selected by the officers shall present the charges and the impeached officer shall present her defense. Following this defense, the Executive Board Officers shall vote. A 2/3 vote shall be required to remove the officer.

Article VII. Operating Procedures

SECTION 1. The most current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall serve as the final parliamentary authority for the MHCR, except where it conflicts with a provision of the Constitution or its By-laws.

SECTION 2. The MHCR letterhead is to be used solely for official MHCR business.

SECTION 3. The MHCR mailing list can be used by MHCR members for official club business only. The only exception is if MHCR Executive Board members agree to participate in the MACR Credentialing process each year.

SECTION 4. Quorum for general meetings and petitions is 1/5 of all members in good standing.

SECTION 5. The most current copy of this Constitution and its Bylaws must be posted on the official MHCR website, given to the Mount Holyoke Office of Student Programs, and held by every Executive Board member.

Article VIII. Adoption and Amendment

SECTION 1. This constitution shall be adopted by a majority vote of members at a general meeting. Notice of the vote shall be given no less than one week in advance. Absentee ballots shall be accepted.

SECTION 2. This constitution shall be amended by a 2/3 vote of one general meeting. A petition of quorum of the general membership or a vote of the Executive Board shall introduce an amendment to the floor with at least one-week notice in writing to the general membership. Absentee ballots shall be accepted.


	Constitution Citations: This newly written and accepted constitution was written by Chairperson, Kate Mulligan. Ms. Mulligan drew upon the College Republican National Committee Sample Constitution, the Harvard Republican Club Constitution with permission from President Josh Mendelsohn, and the Indiana State University Republicans' Constitution posted on their website. National and state government guidelines were also referenced for some sections of the Constitution. The Mount Holyoke College Republicans would like to thank all the organizations that assisted in the drafting of the Constitution.

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