SBU THE NEXT GENERATION CONSTITUTION

Transcription

1 SBU THE NEXT GENERATION CONSTITUTION I. PREAMBLE 1. This Constitution establishes a student organization, SBU TNG, also known as: SBUThe Next Generation( the Organization ), and shall govern the Organization in accordancewith the rules and regulations of Stony Brook University ( the University ). II. NAME & AFFILIATIONS 1. The name of the Organization shall be SBU TNG. 2. The name of the Organization shall be registered with the Department ofstudent Union and Activities, in accordance with University regulations. 3. SBU TNG shall not be directly affiliated with any other group or organization upon its creation, however SBU TNG maintains its right to create affiliations over time. III. PURPOSE 1. The purpose of the Organization shall be: a. To organize, facilitate and educate students at Stony Brook University who are interested or think they might be interested in the BDSM, M/s, fetish, leather, or any other kink lifestyle; b. To create a visible campus community of open-minded students at Stony Brook University who want to learn more and get feedback on topics concerning kink; c. To provide a venue for students at Stony Brook University to discuss and share their experiences in the BDSM (or other kink) community that is free of social pressure and judgment based on sexual orientation/interest; d. To provide a way for students at Stony Brook University to advocate for the right to promote living a BDSM, M/s, fetish, leather or any other alternate lifestyle freely without being discriminated against; e. To provide a way for students at Stony Brook University to meet each other and interact socially who have common interests;

2 f. To provide a venue for events to students at Stony Brook University who are interested in alternate lifestyle choices relating to kink. 2. The Organization s Statement of Purpose, as stated in this Constitution,shall be filed with the Department of Student Union and Activities, in accordance with University regulations. 3. The Organization shall not engage in any activities in violation ofuniversity regulations or federal, state or local laws. IV. MEMBERSHIP 1. All members must be currently registered, matriculated undergraduate students of Stony Brook University who have paid the Undergraduate Student Activities fee and must subscribe to, or be interested in the purpose of this organization. a. All potential members must abide by the SBU TNG Safety and Privacy Protocols as well as agree to the terms of membership as listed in the SBU TNG Membership Waiver (which also requires said potential member's signature as a binding agreement). 2. Any person meeting the qualifications for membership who attends a general meeting of the Organization shall be asked to sign a membershiproster. Upon signing, said person shall be considered a member of theorganization for the remainder of the semester during which theyattended the meeting, unless: a. They notify the Secretary in writing of their wishes to be removed from the membership roster; b. They cease to be eligible for membership; c. They fail to attend three consecutive general meetings; d. If any person or persons fail to abide by the SBU TNG Safety and Privacy Protocols (as defined in Section VII Part 5). e. Their membership is revoked. f. They have or are under investigation of any charge of sexual harassment, rape, or any other misdemeanor. 3. Losing said membership to SBU TNG includes both losing rights to attending any SBU TNG hosted event as well as losing voting rights in quorum or elections. 4. By becoming members of the Organization, members certify that theyhave an interest in the Purpose of the Organization as stated in this Constitution.

3 5. The Organization shall not deny membership or office to, ordiscriminate in any other way against any member because of sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, nationality, race, sex, physical disability, political or religious beliefs, or in any other way prohibited bylaw or by University regulation. 6. To become an active member, you must have attended at least 1 meeting, munch, or event. 7. An inactive member is one that has been absent for (3) consecutivemeetings. 8. A member is considered new if s/he has not yet attended 3 meetings or munches. 9. Any member who does not sign the SBU TNG Safety and Privacy Protocols waiver, is not allowed to attend any meeting or event hosted by SBU TNG. 10. Any person who violates any one of the rules stated in this constitution shall have their name taken down by the Secretary, such that future e-boards will have a list of all person(s) who have violated the Code of Conduct of SUNY Stony Brook and the SBU Safety and Privacy Protocols. V. OFFICERS 1. All nominees for officer positions must have a minimum cumulativegrade point average of 2.0; if elected, must maintain a minimumcumulative grade point average of 2.0; and must be registered for thesemester or semesters during which they are to serve. 2. All officers shall serve for one semester and may be re-elected to the same position for unlimited additional semesters as long as they maintain aminimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 and are registered forthe semester or semesters during which they are to serve. 3. The officers of the Organization shall consist of a President, VicePresident, Secretary, Treasurer, and at least one Outreach Manager (up to two allowed). 4. Any officer shall be able to resign his or her position by presenting asigned letter of resignation to the Executive Board. 5. The President shall: a. Be the official representative of the Organization; b. Be a non-voting ex officio member of all committees of the Organization, except the Election Committee; c. Have the power to convene and preside over the meetings of the Executive Board and of the General Membership and prepare the agenda for the meetings of the Executive Board and the General Membership; and

4 d. Further perform any duties that may be necessary and proper in fulfillment of their office, subject to the approval of the Executive Board. 6. In the event of a vacancy of the office of the President, the Vice President shall assume all responsibilities of the President for theremainder of the year. 7. The Vice President shall: a. Assist the President in any way that may be necessary and proper in fulfillment of their office, subject to the approval of the Executive Board; b. Further perform any duties that may be necessary and proper in fulfillment of their office, subject to the approval of theexecutive Board; and c. Assume the office of President in the event of a vacancy in thatoffice. 8. In the event of a vacancy of this office, a new Vice President shall beelected in a special election called by the President, which shall takeplace no less than one (1) month after the vacancy occurs. 9. The Secretary shall: a. Maintain a correct and up-to-date active voting membership roster; and b. Further perform any duties that may be necessary and proper in fulfillment of their office, subject to the approval of theexecutive Board. c. Post all approved event times on the club website d. Keep a record of all SBU TNG accomplishments andactivities for the year. Collect items such as pictures and news clippings about the group and its members. e. Keep attendance records and member status electronically and available upon request by a member. 10. In the event of a vacancy of this office, a new Secretary shall be electedin a special election called by the President, which shall take place noless than one (1) month after the vacancy occurs. 11. The Treasurer shall: a. Maintain accurate and current financial records for SBUTNG b. Perform any duties that may be necessary and proper in fulfillment of their office, subject to the approval of the Executive Board. c. Serve as liaison to all affiliations of SBU TNG d. Help coordinate events that cost group fundraising.

5 12. In the event of a vacancy of this office, a new Treasurer shall be electedin a special election called by the president, which shall take place noless than one (1) month after the vacancy occurs. 13. The Outreach Manager shall: a. Coordinate outreach campaigns for events and meet ups; b. Maintain a high level of integrity towards all public relations; c. Maintain the responsibility of recruiting new members; d. Market the club towards any potential guest speakers and/or lecturers, as well as any potential members. 14. In the event of a vacancy of this office, a new Outreach Manager shall be elected in a special election called by the president, which shall take place no less than one (1) month after the vacancy occurs. VI. EXECUTIVE BOARD 1. The Executive Board shall consist of the President, Vice President,Secretary and Treasurer. 2. The total membership of the Executive Board shall not exceed the total membership of the Organization. 3. The current edition of Robert s Rules of Order shall govern all meetingsof the Executive Board except where they conflict with thisconstitution. 4. The President shall be the chairperson and presiding officer of theexecutive Board. 5. The Executive Board shall hold at least one meeting a month during the fall andspring semesters. 6. Each officer shall serve a one (1) semester term. 7. Each officer of the executive board cannot be absent for more than three (3) consecutive meetings without notice, if an officer is observed to be in violation of this code, then they can be voted up for impeachment by quorum of the executive board. VII. MEETINGS 1. The Organization shall hold at least two (2) general meetings each monthduring the fall and spring semesters.

6 2. A quorum consisting of a simple majority of the Organization smembers is necessary for the transaction of any business at all meetings. 3. All meetings shall have an agenda. 4. All members shall be notified at least five (5) days before a meeting. 5. Any meeting or informal gathering that is not a general body meeting must have the following two policies in effect: a. The policy of Ground Rules: All ground rules must cover all topics of maintaining the ethics of SSC (Safe, Sane, and Consensual) as well as RACK (Risk Aware Consensual Kink). This includes incorporating rule sets to maintain the integrity of all events, gatherings, meet-ups, or meetings to uphold said tenets, during any discussion, demonstration, seminar, or group activity. b. The policy of having an Authority Figure: The authority figure of any event is required to uphold and enforce these tenets listed in the previous Section VII.5.A. The authority figure is not required to be an E-Board member, and is appointed by the two-thirds (2/3) majority of the club's membership before any said event. c. Upon the violation of any one of the tenets of SSC, RACK, and the SUNY Stony Brook Student Conduct Code, appropriate action can be taken by the authority figure to bring up said violation against the violating person(s) to the current E-Board. If the case of violation is as brought up by the Authority Figure, (as determined by the E-Board consulting the SUNY Stony Brook Student Conduct Code), to also be in direct violation of Sections: II.A.1 Respect for Persons, II.A.2 Sexual Misconduct Policy, or II.A.4 Health & Safety of the Student Conduct Code, then direct measures MUST be taken against offending person(s), which can include but is not limited to: Expulsion from club, Expulsion from SUNY Stony Brook University, and/or Filing a Case Report against said person(s). VIII. ELECTIONS 1. The executive board shall create a special election committee in March and Novemberof each academic year. It shall consist of four (4) members. a. The chairperson of the election committee shall be selected bya majority vote of the executive board. 2. No person shall seek the position of President, Vice President,Treasurer, or Secretary unless they have been a member of theorganization for one semester prior to the semester when they would assume office. 3. Election shall be by majority vote of the active members.

7 4. Nominations shall be accepted from the floor at a general meeting priorto the election. 5. All members shall be notified at least five (5) days before an election. 6. In order to vote in an election, a member must have been considered anactive member at the time of the general body meeting prior to theelection. New members and inactive members will be excluded from the vote. 7. If there is no candidate running specifically for the position of vicepresident, the candidate who receives the second most votes for positionof president will assume the office of vice president. IX. IMPEACHMENT 1. Any officer of the Organization may be impeached if said officer acts tothe detriment of the Organization or significantly disregards the dutiesof their office as stated in this Constitution. 2. If a list of charges signed by three-quarters (3/4) of the officers issubmitted to the President, the President must call for an impeachmentproceeding. If the President is being brought up on charges, the petitionshall be submitted to the Vice President. Upon receipt of the petition, thepresident or Vice President shall suspend the officer and preventthem from exercising all powers and voting rights pending theoutcome of the impeachment proceedings. 3. If a list of charges signed by two-thirds (2/3) of the members issubmitted to the President, the President must call for an impeachmentproceeding. If the President is being brought up on charges, the petitionshall be submitted to the Vice President. Upon receipt of the petition, thepresident or Vice President shall suspend the officer and preventthem from exercising all powers and voting rights pending theoutcome of the impeachment proceedings. 4. After the proper impeachment proceedings, the officer or officers socharged may be impeached by a three-quarter (3/4) vote of groupmembers. If impeachment passes, the officer shall be removed from their position. 5. An impeached officer or officers shall be replaced in the mannerdescribed in Section V of this Constitution. X. AMENDMENTS 1. Proposed amendments to this Constitution may be introduced from thefloor, and must be submitted to the Secretary in writing, by any memberat any general body membership meeting. 2. Upon receipt of a proposed amendment by the Secretary, the Presidentshall call a referendum on the proposed amendment. The entire votingmembership shall be notified in writing at least five (5) days before thereferendum.

8 3. A two-thirds (2/3) majority of the membership is necessary for thepassage of an amendment. XI. DISSOLUTION 1. The Organization may be dissolved by the Executive Board with theapproval of three-quarters (3/4) of the officers. 2. In the event of the dissolution of this group, all accrued funds and assets shall revert to the Undergraduate Student Government or the Office of Student Activities or The Graduate Student Organization. This all depends on the funding type of the organization at the time of the dissolution.