Article I Establishment

Transcription

1 1 Article I Establishment Section 1: The official name of this organization shall be MTSU Anime Club. The general and official abbreviation of the MTSU Anime Club shall be MTSUAC (pronounced by speaking out each letter). The name Anime Club at MTSU is the name the organization is registered under with Middle Tennessee State University ( MTSU, the University ) and shall only be reserved for official dealings with the University when necessary. All three of these names are official titles of the organization. Section 2: The purpose of this club / organization is for the viewing of Japanese animation (anime) in a casually social and fun atmosphere. Discussion of series and animated movies takes place after viewing. All MTSU students are welcome to join or attend meets. Section 3: MTSU Anime Club shall be active during MTSU s Fall and Spring semesters. Activity during summer sessions may occur depending on member participation interest. Activity during all sessions (fall, spring, summer) do not require mandatory participation on part of club members, only on part of club officers. Section 4: All anime shown is in subtitled format as the Japanese language is considered an essential element in the enlightening experience offered by anime in exploring Japanese culture. Section 5: All updates and modifications of the MTSU Anime Club Constitution must be timestamped at the end of the Constitution in the format of: "Constitution Revision Timestamp MONTH/DAY/YEAR" (e.g. 06/19/2009). These timestamps are to never be

2 2 removed or modified after their initial recording. A description of the purpose of the revision follows the timestamp. Article II - Membership Section 1: The general membership shall be referred to as the Anime Club and includes all regular club members and club officers. Section 2: Membership shall be limited to currently enrolled MTSU students, alumni, faculty, and staff. Section 3: Membership shall not be denied to any person on the grounds of age, race, sex, religion, handicap, sexual orientation, or national origin. Section 4: All members are required to register with the MTSU Anime Club, regardless of participation consistency. The Council reserves the right to revoke any membership, either by reason of extended absence or ejection. Any person or persons not registered with the MTSU Anime Club may not claim membership. Section 5: All members assume full responsibility for themselves and their actions, and any consequences thereof. MTSU Anime Club assumes no liability for measures against any member found to be in violation of any section of this Constitution. Section 6: All members are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively on the MTSU Anime Club, and Middle Tennessee State University as a whole, and to abide by all University codes and regulations. Section 7: No dues will ever be required for membership or participation in the MTSU Anime Club. Article III Presiding Officers

3 3 Section 1: The MTSU Anime Club shall be governed by a group of club officers, known simply as Anime Club Officers or "the Council." Section 2: Anime Club Officers positions are filled after a nominated Club member is elected by unanimous vote of the currently presiding Anime Club Officers. Anime Club members become nominated through two methods: (1) a club member may nominate him or herself by completing a form available on the MyMT MTSU Anime Club web page; (2) a club member may be nominated for a position by a currently presiding officer. A club member may be nominated for an officer position at any time. Section 3: Individuals must be Anime Club members and are currently enrolled MTSU students to be eligible for holding an officer position in the MTSU Anime Club. Section 4: The officer positions responsibilities shall be defined in Amendment A of the Constitution, subject to revision as needed. Revisions and updates of these positions are indicated in the description of the "Constitution Revision Timestamp." Section 5: Elected officers shall serve a term starting with the first day of a full semester to the start of the next full semester. While club members may be nominated at anytime, elections for officer positions are held only at the beginning of each full semester. Officers may be re-elected for their position an indefinite number of times. Section 6: If at any time an officer is unable to perform his or her duties, currently presiding officers shall elect a temporary officer who will serve in the vacated position in the former officer s stead until the next election or until the deposed officer is able to return to his or her duties by a simple majority vote of the officers. If a position is unable to be filled due to a lack of member interest or participation, the responsibilities of said position fall upon the current President and Vice-President of the Anime Club.

4 4 Section 7: In the event an officer is studying abroad (minimally a full semester), the departing officer is responsible for finding a suitable candidate for temporarily or permanently filling his or her position. The candidate is elected in the standard procedure as other nominated club members. Section 8: Anime Club Officers have the sole authority to approve official meetings and events, reserve spaces, act as liaison between the organization and other organizations and the administration, enact inner-organizational disciplinary measures, and access or approve the expenditure of club funds. Section 9: Any officer failing to act in the best interests of the MTSU Anime Club may be dismissed by a simple majority vote of the Club. More specifically, any active club member (defined as someone who has attended the majority of club events in the past year) has the right and ability to request impeachment of a currently presiding Anime Club Officer. This process is brought about through posting on the club's primary social media page (ex. Facebook). The member must present an explanation and valid argument as to why he or she feels the officer should be removed from his or her position. An officer is officially impeached if 2/3 of active club members vote in favor. Section 10: As elected representatives of the Club, officers are expected to attend a majority of meetings. If an officer is unable or chooses not to fulfill this responsibility, that officer may be subject to impeachment and replacement by the Club. Article IV Meetings and Events Section 1: Meetings of the MTSU Anime Club shall be held at a time and place to be determined, with approval and cooperation of the University. Section 2: Official meetings shall be outlined in Amendment B of the

5 5 Constitution and are subject to revision as needed, with the last update noted at the end of the amendment. Section 3: Events are specialized gatherings for particular activities that have been approved by the Council but are not stated within the Constitution. Events require only one officer present to supervise and take responsibility, however, all officers must be aware of the activity beforehand. Every officer must attend at least one Anime Club activity or event per semester. Section 4: No gathering, having failed to receive approval from the Council, shall be eligible for funding and support from the MTSU Anime Club, nor be allowed the use of the organization s title for any purpose. As such, the MTSU Anime Club is not liable for any actions done under the unauthorized use organization s title. Section 5: All meetings and events are open to the public. All those where the MTSU Anime Club hosts the viewing of anime and other media may take place shall be free of charge. Fees may be charged for participation in certain events, but not for observation. Section 6: All attendees to club functions, including non-members, are expected to follow University regulations found within MTSU s Rights and Responsibilities of Students handbook and are subject to the disciplinary measures found within Article VI of the Constitution. Article V Club Funding and Expenses Section 1: All funding for the MTSU Anime Club shall come from MTSU campus funding, club fundraisers, participation fees, sales of paraphernalia (such as shirts) and services (such as providing lodging at conventions), and donations.

6 6 Section 2: No dues will ever be required for membership in the MTSU Anime Club. Section 3: In the emergency situation that the Club ever finds itself in debt and is unable to pay with the use of club funds, the remaining debt shall be covered by the Anime Club Officers. Article VI Disciplinary Measures Section 1: Punishable offenses include, but are not limited to, any violation of University regulations found within MTSU s Rights and Responsibilities of Students handbook or any behavior found to be disruptive or offensive. Section 2: If suitable warning has been given and the support of two officers has been established, any member found to be disruptive, offensive, or in violation of University regulations may be ejected from any organizational activity. Section 3: A simple majority vote of the Anime Club Officers is required to suspend any member from organizational activities, including the club's web pages, with the length of suspension not to exceed four weeks. Section 4: In any case in which a member or members would be permanently barred from club activities, the party seeking the ban must (1) secure sponsorship from at least one officer, (2) inform the organization and the person as to the reason for punishment prior to the vote, as well as evidence of wrong-doing, (3) allow the person in question adequate time to defend him or herself, and (4) gain a two-third majority vote from among the members present in order to bar a member or members. Section 5: Lifting a ban on any member or members requires a two-third majority vote of the Council, followed by a two-third majority vote from among the members present. Article VII Amendments and Constitutional Revisions

7 7 Section 1: Amendments may be added to this Constitution by a unanimous vote of the Council. Amendments may be brought forth to the Council by any club member. Amendments must not run in direct opposition to the Constitution. Section 2: All amendments are to be listed in the amendment section at the end of this Constitution, with each amendment followed by its ratification date. Section 3: The Club must be notified of any amendments made to the Constitution and the content thereof within the next two meetings at the latest. Section 4: The Club may choose to veto an amendment with a two-thirds majority vote at any meeting given one week s notice prior. Section 5: This Constitution may be revised by a two-thirds majority vote of the Club, consisting of the members present at the meeting-taking place. Section 6: The Club must be informed of both the content of any proposed revisions and the scheduled voting time, prior to the referendum. Constitution of the MTSU Anime Club Amendments Amendment A Officer Positions This amendment shall define the positions of all officers of the MTSU Anime Club Specific tasks, obligation requirements, and conduct not addressed by these definitions shall be determined by the Council. President: The President coordinates club meetings and events and presides over council meetings in particular. The President also acts as liaison between MTSU Anime Club and MTSU campus administration. As such, the President must sign off on all paper work when dealing with the University. The President, along with the Treasurer, is responsible for club financial issues. The President is also

8 8 responsible for the legal entity of the organization when the University is not. While any officer may lead club activities or events, this responsibility primarily falls to the club President who should attend all club events and activities. Vice President: In addition to assisting the President in the President s responsibilities when needed, the Vice President handles club public relations, including advertising for the club within the Japanese language program at MTSU. The Vice President works with the Treasurer to handle lodging for the Club when attending conventions. Treasurer: The Treasurer is responsible for all money, reimbursements, and budgets for MTSU Anime Club. The Treasurer oversees the collection, keeping, and expenditure of club funds, as well as any items bought with club funds. The Treasurer works with the Vice President to handle lodging for the Club when attending conventions. The treasurer is required to attend all club meetings that may require financial activity from the club s funds. When the treasurer is unable to attend, the another officer may fill in at the event solely as a liaison between members attending the event, and the treasurer physically absent but in contact; the officer may not handle financial transactions without the approval and guidance of the current Treasurer. Secretary: The Secretary is in charge of keeping and maintaining club records, including receipts and other records of club funds from the Treasurer. The Secretary shall also take notes of all officer council meetings. The Secretary may also help the President and Vice-President reserve space on MTSU campus for club activities and events, working to complete required forms.

9 9 Amendment B Club Activities and Notification of Club Members This amendment outlines the official meetings and activities of the MTSU Anime Club, and the means by which members are notified of club affairs and events. Meetings described in this amendment, as discussed in Article IV of the Constitution, are all club gatherings stated in the Constitution. Anime Nights: "Anime Nights" are the standard events held by the MTSU Anime Club. They shall be held on a weekly or bi-weekly basis in the Fall and Spring semesters. The location and duration of the events will vary according to circumstances. The typical "Anime Night" format will consist of being held on MTSU's campus from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday evenings during the fall and spring terms. These meetings will consist primarily of watching and discussing anime. These meetings are subject to cancelation by the Anime Club Officers by a majority vote, the unforeseen absence of a key officer to the event s activity and organization, or unforeseen technical problems preventing the showing of anime. Members will be notified via the Facebook Group page, "MTSU Anime Club Board." Anime Club Officer Meetings: Officer meetings are held for the purpose of allowing the presiding officer to conduct club business where the majority of club members' presence is not essential, as well and to plan and organize for club business to be presented to the Club when its presence is essential. It is at these meetings that elections will take place. At least one Officer Meeting is require per semester, primarily for the purpose of electing Anime Club Officers; this meeting

10 10 should take place within the first month of a semester's beginning. Coordination and presiding of these meetings is left to the President. All Day Anime Event: Formally abbreviated as ADA, pronouncing each letter, is a day set aside during the fall or spring semester for the watching of anime as a club activity. The format of the event is on a Saturday lasting for at least four hours to a maximum of six hours at a location to be determined. The activity is optional for members. Event, as all other Anime Club Activities, must be led by at least one officer. The event is not require to take place each semester. Anime Club Excursions: Anime Club Excursions are defined as any Anime Club activities that involve traveling outside of Murfreesboro, TN (e.g. conventions). None of such events will ever be required for club members. All financials relating to an Anime Club Excursion are handled by the presiding Treasurer, particularly with regards to lodging if applicable. Anime Club Excursions that are not led by an Anime Club officer are considered unaffiliated with the Anime Club additional detail is listed in Article IV Section 4. Notifications of Members: All news concerning upcoming club activities and events will be posted on the club's Facebook group page, titled "MTSU Anime Club Board." In the event of a club activity's cancellation or postponement, club members will be notified via a posting on the Facebook group page. Also, all information pertaining to current Anime Club affairs, including elections, are to be posted in this webspace as well. Constitution Revision Timestamp: 08/27/2015

11 11 This was done so for the sole purpose of restarting the club as an MTSU organization after an extended absence of club activity and member participation. Lack of prior members support led to an overhaul of the Constitution with the assistance of newly nominated officers. The changes made to the Constitution were warranted due to the extended duration in which the Constitution was not updated to reflect the club s troubled state of affairs.