Constitution
Constitution of the Secular Alliance:
Preamble:
The purpose of the Humanist Student Association is to join together atheists, agnostics, freethinkers, and humanists on IU’s campus to promote a naturalistic way of thinking over one which is based on belief in the supernatural. This group’s members trust in the importance of science, reason, and logic in order to better understand the world around us. Our goal is to unite people with similar beliefs, and to discuss these beliefs. We are also interested in hosting events to discuss and promote a scientific view of the world, and in helping others gain a better understanding of our beliefs.
Article I: Membership
Participation in the proposed organization must be without regard to arbitrary consideration of such characteristics as age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status. (See section I.D.3(c) on page 6 of the Code.)
A member is defined as someone who has attended at least one group meeting or event over the past year, and shows interest in continuing to participate in the future.
Article II: University Compliance
This organization shall comply with all Indiana University regulations, and local, state and federal laws.
Article III: Executive Officers
President: duties are to arrange material for each meeting, moderate meetings, and organize dates and times for meetings. Also in charge of communication with group members.
Webmaster: duties include creating and managing the group website.
Treasurer: duties include managing the money for the group. The treasurer is in charge of the group’s financial accounts, and makes sure we don’t spend more than we have.
Secretary: duties include taking notes at each meeting and emailing the group minutes within the next week of the meeting.
Program Director: Reserves space for events, organizes, coordinates, and programs events, and thanks the speakers at different events.
Public Relations Director: In charge of publicity for events (making fliers, organizing posting of them), collaborating with the media (i.e. the IDS), etc.
1. All officers will be elected by popular vote. The term in office is one year. The office is turned over after new officers are elected in the summer before each fall semester.
2. Officers may resign if they wish, but proper notice must be given. “Proper” is defined as 4 weeks notice given to the entire group, so that the group may have time to fill the vacancy. Any vacancies will be filled by a popular vote among members.
3. Any member in good standing may nominate herself to be an officer.
4. If someone makes a complaint about an officer, that complaint may be discussed with the group at a meeting, and a vote may be taken to remove that person from office.
Article IV: Advisor
The purpose of the group’s advisor is to oversee the activities of the group. The advisor will be a source of information and a mentor for the officers and group members. The advisor does not need to attend group meetings, but may if he or she wishes.
Article V: Meetings
Meetings will be held approximately once a month. Any officer has the authority to call a meeting. The meeting times and dates will be determined by the availability of its members. A non-officer member may request that a meeting be called by asking an officer to call it. The agenda is set by the president, using the advice of the group’s members and advisor.
Article VI: Elections
1. Elections will be held at the end of the spring semester of each school year. Members may nominate themselves or each other. A member may run for office if he or she is in good standing with the group.
2. Voting will be done by secret ballot.
3. There is not a minimum number of members needed to be present for voting to take place. There is no absentee voting.
4. The officers will attempt to give due notice to the members about upcoming elections. However, if an officer must resign and an emergency vote must be called, there may not be as much notice given to members. Members will be notified by email or Facebook as soon as possible.
Article VII: Non-Hazing
Hazing is strictly prohibited. Hazing shall be defined as any conduct which subjects another person, whether physically, mentally, emotionally, or psychologically, to anything that may endanger, abuse, degrade, or intimidate the person as a condition of association with a group or organization, regardless of the person’s consent or lack of consent.
Article VIII: Dues & Budgets
The treasurer creates and maintains the group’s budget. The budget is revised when the members see fit. There are no member dues.
Article IX: Finances
The treasurer is in charge of financial affairs, with advice from the advisor on the subject. The organization will apply for and maintain a Student Organization Account. They will be in compliance with the Student Organization Accounts office policies and procedures. The treasurer will maintain the Student Organization Account. If the group dissolves, the money will be donated to the Secular Student Alliance.
(Website is http://www.secularstudents.org/.)
Article IX: Amendments
Eligible voting members (all members) will be notified by email or Facebook about any proposed amendments. A 2/3 majority is required to ratify this constitution. (Once approved by the organization, all constitutions with amendments must be submitted to the Student Activities Office for approval.)
Last Modified: April 19, 2008
Sarah Kaiser :: Apr.10.2008 :: Events ::