European Studies Club of East Stroudsburg University Constitution
Preamble
We the members of the European Studies Club of East Stroudsburg University promise to uphold the stipulations set forth in this document. We pledge to honor and value the traditions of East Stroudsburg University and further these values through our club.
Article 1. Name
European Studies Club of East Stroudsburg University.
Article 2. Purpose
The European Studies Club was founded for the purpose of expanding the understanding of, and interest in,
Europe, broadly speaking; including, but not necessarily limited to, European
politics, cultures, economics, social structures and development, public and
private policies, demographics, languages, foreign relations, and all other
areas of concern affected by, or affecting, individual, state and
organizational activities in the European Union’s organization, European Union
member states, neighboring nation-states, or any nation-state and or organization
with ties to the European Union’s organization or European Union member states
in the aforementioned issue areas.
The purpose extends to all students at East Stroudsburg
interested in Europe, irrespective of academic major, age, race, ethnicity,
gender or other group memberships, and in conformity with Student Activity
Association rules.
The club, through its members, aims to accomplish the
aforementioned goals by conducting field trips, research, inviting guest
speakers, hosting panel discussions on pertinent topics and inviting
representatives from the local community to attend and assist in these
endeavors.
Article 3. Membership
Membership is open to all
undergraduate and graduate students at East Stroudsburg University and alumni
of East Stroudsburg University. A faculty advisor will assist. All members must
be willing to abide by the European Studies Club’s Constitution and participate
in the pursuit of furthering knowledge and understanding of Europe as
stipulated in article II.
All members must submit one email address to be added to the
club’s listserv as also stated in Article VI, § 4.
Article 4. Dues and Fees
§ 1 .Each member will contribute and equal amount of dues,
with the amount to be determined at the first meeting of the club each fall.
Attending members, which must represent at least 60% of current members at the
date of the first fall meeting, will democratically approve of the amount of
dues to be paid by each member. The vote on the appropriate dues is to be
approved by simple majority of the members present (which – again- must
represent 60% of the current membership roll). All other potential fees, to be
used for club activities, shall be determined at a club meeting with a vote of
approval representing at least 50+1% of members present, who in turn represent
at least 60% of all current members of the club.
§ 2. All accounts erected by the European Studies Club will
be controlled by a student, on behalf of all members. This person shall be
elected at the first meeting of the club each fall, following an inaugural
election at the first meeting of aforementioned club. All members shall at any
time have the right to request full insight into the monetary assets or
holdings of the European Studies Club.
§ 3. All funds will be deposited in the Student Academic Affairs Office.
Article 5. Officers
§ 1. The following offices shall be held be members of the
club.
- President
- Vice President - Head of Amendment Committee if so established
- Secretary
- Treasurer - Head of Fund Raising Committee if so established
- Spokesperson
§ 2. Terms of office: Elections will be held at the first
meeting every fall, after the inaugural election at the first meeting of the
European Studies Club.
§ 3. All club officers must be in good academic standing at
the time of election and throughout the duration of their term in office. Each
officer must be an active member and abide by the European Studies Club’s
Constitution.
§ 4. All officers may miss two meetings per semester.
Article 6. Duties of Officers
§ 1. President: The president prepares the agenda, calls the
meetings into order, and presides over all meetings. The President also
oversees the treasurer’s activities and the spokesperson’s activities, without
unduly restraining such activities that either may have been requested by club
members to undertake. The president - in cooperation with the treasurer -
acquires and fills out forms to use club funds.
§ 2. Vice-President: Presides over meetings - and performs
all other duties of the president – should the president be absent from a
meeting or otherwise incapable of performing assigned duties. The president
must notify the vice-president in writing should they be unable to fulfill
duties other than attending a meeting. The Vice-president also checks the
club’s mailbox located in the University Center on a weekly basis and informs
club members of mail at regular meetings.
§ 3. Treasurer: Handles the bookkeeping for the European
Studies Club and submits statements to the president at least twice per
semester. The treasurer is also responsible for fundraising with the active
support and assistance from a board of volunteers devoted to specific
fundraising activities.
§ 4. Secretary: keeps records of club meetings and submits
minutes to the president one week prior to the next meeting. The secretary is
responsible for erecting and maintaining a European Studies Club Email
listserv, to which all members shall have access. The Secretary also keeps an
updated list of all club members, including name, local address and phone
number, and this list shall be submitted each fall to the Student Activity
Association.
§ 5. Spokesperson: Keeps track - in writing – of all club
outings, field trips, and other activities undertaken in the name of the
European Studies Club at East Stroudsburg University. A specific binder shall
be designated to record keeping.
Article 7. Elections
§ 1. Elections: Elections are to be held during the first
club meeting every fall, in the month of September, with the exception of the
inaugural election and any special election so required as outlined below. Each
nomination is provided to the faculty advisor one week prior to the first
meeting and elections. Each nomination requires one member’s written support
and seconding by one other current member. The seconding may be done verbally
at the first meeting. Any member present at the meeting must be provided at
least two minutes to argue their views on any nominee prior to any vote.
§ 2. Voting: Voting is done by secret ballot, by writing a
nominee’s name on a paper, which is folded and placed in a sealed box, and
subsequently counted by the secretary and the president before being announced.
§ 3. Numerical requirements: Each position is filled after
a recorded vote where the winning candidate must attain support from at least
50+1 % of members present which must represent at least 60% of current members.
Absentee votes - in writing and submitted to the acting President - are
acceptable and will be counted in the elections if at least 60% of current
members are physically present at the meeting.
§ 4. Vacancy: An elected position may be filled
intermittently if an officer resigns or fails to meet the qualifications in
Article V, §3. Voting to replace an officer will follow the same rules and
procedures as regular elections. Each officer serves two semesters, and may be
continuously reelected if meeting all qualifications as set forth in Article V,
§3.
Article 8. Removal of Officers
§ 1. Any officer will be removed from office if not
fulfilling their duties as stipulated in this constitution, including those
stipulated in Article V, § 3. A Voting to replace an officer will follow the
same rules and procedures as regular elections.
Article 9. Advisor
§ 1. The members of the European Studies Club shall choose
their faculty advisor, who can serve continuously and indefinitely until so
voted to be replaced by the club members. Elections of advisor, after a
nomination is set forth in writing by a member, and seconded by another member,
must attain support from at least 60% of members present which must represent
at least 60% of current members. The inaugural club meeting will choose the
first advisor.
§ 2.The advisor will help the club with practical
arrangements in all areas so deemed necessary by club members. The advisor’s
responsibilities may include, but are neither limited to nor permanently
required, helping to plan fundraising, executing such events, contacting
university offices and university representatives on behalf of the club. The advisor
must be accessible to all members of the club, within the normal span of
faculty duties and obligations, and must uphold the club’s constitution.
Article 10. Meetings
§ 1. Meetings: Meetings will be held once a month throughout
the academic calendar year (here meaning September through May). Meetings will
be held at times and locations decided by the club at the first meeting of each
fall semester, to be held the first week of the September.
§ 2. Special Meetings: Special meetings may be convened by
any club officer, if approved by the president, and a minimum of once week’s
notice must be given to all members in regards to the time, place and nature of
the meeting.
§ 3. Agenda: The agenda will be set by the president, taking
into account any and all proposals from current members and the advisor, prior
to a club meeting. The agenda must be disseminated by the president via the
club email listserv at least 3 days prior to a meeting.
Article 11. Quorum
A quorum exists at any meeting if
50+1% of current members are physically present (speaker phone included) and
any decisions are considered approved if 50 + 1% of members present approve.
This does not apply to rules on the elections of officers or duties, as stated
in Articles IV, VII, VIII.
Article 12. Amendments
§ 1. All amendments are to be submitted in writing one week
prior to a regular club meeting. The president and advisor must be informed in
writing, and the amendment disseminated on the club listserv for all to read.
Comments shall be submitted in writing to the president prior to the club
meeting. At the club meeting the amendment shall be present in writing and be
subject to a vote by all members present if constituting a quorum. The
amendment is considered approved if 50 + 1% of members present approve,
representing at least 60 % of all current members. The amendment is then
written into the constitution. If more than two amendments are proposed at any
time a committee may be formed if so determined necessary by the president.
Article 13.
Powers not directly delegated in this
constitution are reserved for the members of the European Studies Club.
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