GLBTA Constitution & By-Laws

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Constitution for the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Alliance

GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL TRANSGENDER ALLIANCE (GLBTA)

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA

CONSTITUTION

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Transgender Alliance (GLBTA) is to provide a student-run, community-based organization open to persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities, in order to educate the university and the surrounding community about GLBT issues and to provide a community support system at the University of South Alabama.

ARTICLE I: Terms of Office for Officers

Elections of the officers of this organization will be held at the next to last meeting in May. Terms of office will be for one year. A candidate for office must be a student in good standing (2.0 GPA) at USA and must be a member in good standing in GLBTA for at least one academic year (fall and spring terms). Unless, approved by the previous GLBTA Student Executive Board officers of a majority vote.

ARTICLE II: Meeting Times

A. Meetings are set forth by Article V of the club Bylaws.

1. The club shall meet at regular intervals at a time and place designated by the executive student board and/or faculty advisor.

2. Special meetings may be called with the approval of a majority of the executive student board and/or the faculty advisor.

ARTICLE III: Officers and Committees

A. President

1. The President will preside at all general and officer's meetings.

2. The President will determine the agenda for both meetings.

3. The President will be the official spokesperson in all situations concerning the GLBTA.

4. The President may delegate these and other duties to the Vice President and/or Committees as need be in conformance with the constitutional powers of the other officers.

5. The President will call for committee(s) when appropriate and approved by a majority vote of members present at a given meeting and/or the Student Executive Board members.

6. If the President is unable to complete the term of office, the Vice President will assume the presidency.

B. Vice President

1. The Vice President will preside at any time the president cannot.

2. The Vice President will accompany the President to all official meetings involving faculty, press, counsel, etc. Unless, schedule prohibits this.

3. If the Vice President is unable to complete the term of office, the Executive Committee Chair will assume the vice presidency. If the Executive Committee Chair does not assume the vice presidency, a special election will be called to fill the office for the remainder of the term.

C. Secretary

1. The Secretary will record all minutes of regular and officer meetings and submit a record to the President.

2. The Secretary will be responsible for all correspondence.

3. Any published announcements will and must be approved by a majority of members present at a meeting and or the executive student board.

4. If the Secretary is unable to complete the term of office, the remaining officers will appoint a new secretary.

D. Treasurer

1. The Treasurer will be responsible to the collection of dues from the members.

2. The Treasurer will keep current records and give a financial report at each regular meeting.

3. The Treasurer will confer with the President regarding all finances of the GLBTA and implement all financial transactions.

4. In Order to avoid the misuse of GLBTA funds, the President and Vice President will be required to approve all expenditures after their presentation by the Treasurer.

5. At least two officer's signatures will be required on all checks.

6. If the Treasurer is unable to complete the term of office, the remaining officers

will appoint a new treasurer.

E. Executive Committee Chair

1. The Executive Committee Chair will be over all committees and report those to the Executive Student Board.

2. The Executive Committee Chair will assume the vice presidency if the vice president is unable to complete the term of office.

3. The Executive Committee Chair will take responsibly for Social and Public Relations on behalf of the GLBTA.

F. Committees

1. Committees can be appointed by a majority of the executive student board or called upon by a majority of the members present at a meeting.

2. Committees are to report to the Executive Committee Chair. That will report its findings and activities to the executive student board and members of the GLBTA.

3. Committees are formed for the purpose given at the time of the formation of the committee.

4. Committees are dissolved when the purpose has been achieved.

G. Web Master

1. The web master will keep and maintain the GLBTA web page and be responsible for all content and activity on the pages.

ARTICLE IV: Dues

A. Dues are a suggested donation of $ 5.00 per term or $10.00 per year (3 terms Fall, Spring, Summer).

B. Dues can be implemented by rights of Article X stated in the club Bylaws.

C. A reduction in the price of the dues for those members that are in poor financial terms can be received via President’s approval.

D. Dues are due within the fourth meeting of the term, which enables membership stated in Article V of the qualification of membership.

ARTICLE V: Qualifications for Membership

A. Membership in this organization is limited to USA Students and those persons of age 18 and older or by permission of the executive student board.

B. Membership list of the GLBTA for the University must consist of only currently enrolled USA Students for rules and regulations set forth by the University Campus Involvement office.

C. Membership in GLBTA is open to all persons regardless of age, race, creed, gender, religion, national origin, disability/handicap, family status or sexual orientation, gender identity/expression. Membership in GLBTA is not indicative of any sexual orientation but of personal philosophical convictions.

D. Persons seeking membership GLBTA should understand the philosophy and purpose of the GLBTA and express a basic agreement with those beliefs.

E. For the process of business sixty-five percent of members eligible to vote must be present for the Quorum of the club to be reached so that any major club change can be made; however, for the betterment of the club the executive student board by unanimous vote can refuse and/or make the changes to the club and its constitution and bylaws.

F. There are two levels of membership in GLBTA: Members and Associates

1. Members

a. Membership is defined by attendance of at least two meetings per term, as well as active participation in group activities.

b. Only Persons Meeting The Membership Requirements Are Eligible To Vote.

2. Associates

a. Associates are persons who meet one but not both membership requirements.

b. Associates are welcome to participate in any general or committee functions of

GLBTA but are not eligible to vote.

c. Associates are not eligible to hold office or chair committees but may serve on a

committee.

ARTICLE VI: Reprimand or Expulsion of a Member or Associate

A. To endanger the integrity and/or emotional or physical well-being of any member or associate

or faculty member warrants reprimand or expulsion from GLBTA, subject to a majority vote of

members present at a meeting and/or the executive student board.

B. A written notice of this action will be given to the person in question two weeks prior to the vote. At the time of the notice, the member or associate will be advised to bring forth materials and/or persons that may assist in defense against the charges. This evidence will be reviewed by the members before the vote is taken.

C. A reprimand consists of a written statement which includes a description of the offense. And will be given in cases of lesser offenses than those which warrant expulsion. Reprimanded members will become associates for one calendar year.

D. Expulsion will be the required punishment for major offenses such as: publication of members’ and associates' names, phone numbers and/or addresses: deliberate slander of any person involved in or with GLBTA or any faculty member: or any comparable offense.

E. Reprimands will only be given once; a second offense is subject to expulsion.

F. Any person who has been expelled may petition for re-admittance into GLBTA after one calendar year, subject to a majority vote of all members.

ARTICLE VII: Selection of a Faculty Advisor

A. Any potential Faculty Advisor will be contacted by the President.

B. A meeting will be set up between the potential Advisor, the President, Vice President and any interested members. A faculty member agreeing to become an advisor to GLBTA will then meet with the general membership. A majority vote of the members present will be required to approve the selection of the new Advisor.

C. The Faculty Advisor will be present at all elections and voting procedures for reprimands or expulsions.

D. The Faculty Advisor will be responsible for parliamentary procedure during the elections and to confirm the results of the vote.

ARTICLE VIII: Election Procedures

A. Elections will be held at the next to last meeting in May. Terms of office are one year

beginning at the last meeting in May. This last meeting will be a "formal" meeting where the

offices are turned over to their successors.

B. A list of the members will be published two weeks prior to the election. Only persons on the

voting list are eligible to vote.

C. Nominations will be taken one week prior to the elections. All nominations must be heard and

seconded. Nominees need not be present to be placed on the ballot: however, they may

decline nominations before the vote is taken. No nominations will be taken the night of the

elections.

D. The Faculty Advisor will be responsible for parliamentary procedure during the elections.

E. Candidates are allowed three minutes to speak before the election of their respective office in

order to make any statements concerning intent and ability for the office.

F. All elections are conducted by secret ballot unless changed by a majority vote of members

present.

G. Members unable to attend the elections may submit, in advance, a written, signed ballot to the

Faculty Advisor. This must include the members student ID number and submitted in person.

H. A simple majority vote will be sufficient for the election of an officer.

I. In the event a single nominee declines the nomination on election night a write-in vote is

allowed.

ARTICLE IX: Impeachment of Officers

A. Any officer who becomes an associate will be immediately removed from office. The office

will be filled by the provisions stated in Article Three.

B. Any officer who fails to perform the specific duties assigned to the office will be removed

from office subject to approval of a two-thirds majority of all members.

C. Any officer who is reprimanded is subject to removal from office by the consenting vote of a

two-thirds majority of all members. An officer who is expelled will be removed from office.

Article X: Financial

A. All financial information is the responsibility of the club Treasurer.

B. All financial account information must be available for review by the members, Advisor(s), executive student board, and The University’s Dean of Students Office at their discretion.

ARTICLE XI: Amending the Constitution

A. A request for an amendment to the Constitution may be made by any member.

B. The addition of an amendment will be decided by a majority vole of two-thirds of all members.

STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE WITH

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA

RULES AND REGULATIONS

We, the members of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Alliance do, hereby, agree to conform and respect all rules and regulation of the University of South Alabama in meetings on and off campus, and during all GLBTA functions.

Approved: By the Committee of Constitution Review: November 9, 2010

Approved: By Members: December 7, 2010

By-Laws for the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Alliance

GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL TRANSGENDER ALLIANCE (GLBTA)

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA

Bylaws

Article I – Elections

Elections shall be run in the manner prescribed by Article VIII of the club constitution

Article II – The terms and duties of officers

The terms and duties of officers are set forth in Article III sections A-E of the club constitution

Article III - Executive Board

The Executive Board of the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Alliance (GLBTA) shall consist of the members articulated in Article III of the club constitution and shall operate in the manner described there.

Article IV - Committees and Duties

Committees shall be formed as needed in the manner prescribed in Article III Section F of the club’s constitution.

Article V – Meetings

1. The club shall meet at regular intervals at a time and place designated by the executive student board and/or faculty advisor.

2. Special meetings may be called with the approval of a majority of the executive student board and/or the faculty advisor.

Article VI – Order of Business

The Meeting shall commence with a call to order. Thereafter, the meeting shall follow the guidelines below:

1. Approval of the minutes from the previous meeting

2. Reading of correspondences (when relevant)

3. Treasurer’s Report

4. Committee Report (if any committees are active)

5. Old Business

6. New Business

7. Adjournment

Article VII – Faculty Sponsor

The faculty sponsor shall be a member of the faculty and advise the club as necessary.

Article VIII – Parliamentary Procedure

Executive meetings shall follow Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised unless an alternate format is agreed to by all present.

Article IX – Transition

Transition is the period of which the club officers are in transfer of power and paperwork after the election to the new officers. In this time period the previous officers have till the second week of Fall Term to have all main section information and paper work in the process for transition. The President is to keep a list of Transition paper work to be passed from President to President in which list the clubs Assets, Liabilities and Equity.

Transition Packet:

1. Email(s)… (i.e. Gmail Account)

2. Webpage(s)…(i.e. Yahoo Group, Facebook, School Webpage)

3. Club Advisor and Pervious officer information

4. Club “Box” and Contents

5. Login…Usernames & Passwords

6. Renewal Paper Work and Processes

Article X – Dues

Dues are set as stated in Article IV Section A of the club’s constitution; however, Dues can be put into effect by majorly vote of the executive student board when declared necessary for the betterment of the club in unstable financial times.

Article XI – Financial

All Financial rules and regulation for the club are set forth in Article X of the club constitution.

ARTICLE XII - Amending the Bylaws

A. A request for an amendment to the bylaws may be made by any member.

B. The addition of an amendment will be decided by a majority vole of two-thirds of all members.

STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE WITH

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA

RULES AND REGULATIONS

Approved: By the Committee of Bylaw Review: November 9, 2010

Approved: By Members: December 7, 2010

University of South Alabama Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Alliance
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