Siena for Life Club Constitution 1
ARTICLE I: NAME The name of this organization will be the Siena for Life Club ARTICLE II: PURPOSE The Siena for Life Club seeks to educate and encourage open discussion within the college community about the ethical questions of life in keeping with Siena s Franciscan and Catholic mission. We ascribe to the Seamless Garment ethic, which peacefully respects and dignifies human life at all stages, including respect for one s own life. In keeping with the College s mission, the club seeks to enhance and advance this mission by fostering open dialogue and a welcoming environment for all students, regardless of their viewpoint, on all topics related to human life. ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP Section 1 : All members of the Siena College Student Community are eligible to gain membership into the Siena for Life Club and all that membership entails. Section 2 : Membership shall entail: 1. The ability to participate in and help organize activities 2. The ability to attend and participate in meetings 3. The ability to run for an elected position within the club 4. The ability to vote in decisions on certain matters that may arise, including the election of offices. ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES Section 1 : The executive board (e-board) for the Siena for Life Club shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and a Secretary. A. President 1. Shall be an elected by the Siena for Life membership 2. Shall preside over all meetings 3. Shall have the deciding vote only in the event of a tie 4. Shall be able to call meetings, either for the Siena for Life E-Board or for the entire membership 5. Shall be able to organize events for the club 6. Shall mediate communication between administration, faculty, students, and the Siena for Life Club 7. Shall be able to perform other duties as necessary for the implementation of the mission of the Siena for Life Club B. Vice-President 2. Shall aid the President in organizing meetings and events for the club 3. Shall aid the President in accomplishing other necessary duties for implementing the mission of the Siena for Life Club 4. Shall assume the duties of the President if the President is unable to perform the duties of that office 2
C. Secretary 2. Shall maintain accurate minutes of Siena for Life meetings, both of the E-Board and of the entire membership 3. Shall keep track of all member s attendance at meetings 4. Shall keep an accurate list of the Siena for Life membership D. Treasurer 2. Shall maintain an accurate record of the club s available funds 3. Shall maintain accurate records of the club s expenditures 4. Shall submit the recommended Siena for Life budget to the appropriate financial body as prescribed by the Director of Campus Programs and Student Activities. Section 2 : Any officer has the right to resign for whatever purpose at anytime during the year. If an officer decides to resign, they must present a letter of resignation to the E-Board 2 weeks prior to the desired resignation date. Matt Pampolina reserves the right to gain whatever position in the club he so chooses, and has the ability to fire anyone at will. Also he cannot be impeached for whatever reason. ARTICLE V: MEETINGS Section 1 : The Siena for Life Club shall meet weekly. The times, dates, and places for the meetings shall be decided by the Siena for Life e-board, who will communicate them to the Siena Student Body. Section 2 : The Siena for Life e-board shall meet weekly in order to plan meetings for the entire Siena for Life Club. The time, dates, and places for the meetings shall be decided by the President, who will communicate them to the rest of the e-board. Section 3 : The e-board shall be able to call meetings throughout the academic year as necessary for the organization of events and other issues which arise. Section 4 : Voting will be conducted during meetings and will require a 2/3 majority vote of those present at the meeting. ARTICLE VI: ATTENDANCE All Siena for Life Club members are encouraged to attend and participate in all Siena for Life meetings, activities, and events. ARTICLE VII: SIENA FOR LIFE CLUB ADVISOR(S) The Siena for Life Advisor(s) shall be responsible for 1. Advising, guiding, and aiding all Siena for Life members and officers in their endeavors. 2. Administering the election process for e-board members, as described in Article VIII. ARTICLE VIII: ELECTIONS Section 1 : All members of the Siena for Life Club are eligible to run for a position in the club s e-board 3
Section 2 : Members seeking election must notify the club s advisor(s) of their interest. The advisor will then alert the club members of the individuals running for the e-board and for which specific office they are running for. Section 3 : Elections will be held during a meeting at the beginning of each academic year. The time, date, and place of the meeting shall be decided by the advisor(s), who will communicate them to the club members. Section 4 : Voting shall be performed by means of individual ballots by all the club members. The advisor(s) will then count the ballots and notify the members of the results. ARTICLE IX: IMPEACHMENT Section 1 : In the occasion that an officer should deliberately neglect or fail to carry out their duties acceptably, then the officer will be given one verbal warning by the Siena for Life Club e-board. Section 2 : If an officer continues to deliberately neglect or fail to carry out their duties acceptably after an initial warning, then the Siena for Life Club can present a petition requesting the impeachment of the officer to the E-Board. The petition must contain at least two-thirds of the membership s signatures. If such a petition is given, then the officer will be impeached. Let it be made clear that all members of the e-board must be physically present when this vote happens, and the vote must be made verbally with aye as affirmation, or as nay as rejection. ARTICLE X: VACANCIES Section 1 : In the occasion of a vacancy in the e-board of the Siena for Life Club, then the position shall be made available to the entire membership of Siena for Life Club, including the remaining e-board. Section 2 : Elections to fill the vacancy shall be held in the same manner as outlined in Article VIII. Section 3: During the period of time when there is a vacancy in the e-board, the remaining e-board will work collectively to fulfill the duties of the vacant office. ARTICLE XI: ORGANIZATION PROCEDURES Section 1 : The general operating rules and procedures established by Student Senate and/or the Student Finance Committee for all clubs/organizations shall apply. Section 2 : The Siena for Life Club will publish a report summarizing its own work and activity annually. Section 3 : The Siena for Life Club shall establish committees to handle different matters which arise in the club, such as organizing events and handling financial operations, as deemed necessary by the Siena for Life E-board and Advisor(s). ARTICLE XII: FEES AND DUES The Siena for Life Club reserves the right to charge fees and dues to its members. However, there are no obligatory fees or dues required to enter and remain in the Siena for Life Club. Any fees which arise throughout the academic year due to events, trips, or any other activity shall be made known to the Siena for Life membership by the e-board. 4
ARTICLE XIII: AMENDMENTS Amendments to the constitution shall be decided on by the Siena for Life membership and be accepted by a 2/3 vote of the membership. If a 2/3 vote is reached, then a petition for amendments shall be submitted to the Student Senate. ARTICLE XIV: DISSOLUTION Dissolution will be decided upon by a 2/3 vote of the Siena for Life members. If a 2/3 vote is reached, then a petition for dissolution shall be submitted to the Student Senate. ARTICLE XV: RATIFICATION Any Siena for Life Club constitutions, or amendments to those constitutions, are effective when ratified by the Student Senate. ARTICLE XVI: SECESSION Section 1: In the event that an officer is removed from the E-Board (be resignation or impeachment) The successor will be chosen by the following hierarchy, with the officer under the leaving officer moving up. Hierarchy: 1. President 2. Vice President 3. Treasurer 4. Secretary ARTICLE XVII: CLUB TRAINING Section 1: The sitting President and Treasurer must attend club training each semester. If the sitting President or Treasurer a named proxy can be appointented. ARTICLE XVII: EFFECTIVE DATE This Constitution is approved by members in Fall 2015 Student Senate Ratification Fall 2015 ARTICLE XVIII: RENEWAL DATE This Constitution will be reevaluated by members in Fall 2018 Student Senate Re-approval in Fall 2018 5