Student Organization Name: Spoon University at Berkeley Date Prepared: January 2015 Date Amended: July 15, 2015 Date Approved (LEAD Center staff): Approved by (LEAD Center staff): Article I Name Our organization will be named Spoon University at Berkeley. Article II Purpose, Mission, Vision 2.1 The purpose of our e-publication/organization is to: Provide University of California, Berkeley students with an easy, online resource for learning about food of various degrees of simplicity, practicality, healthiness, and affordability. b. Allow students to learn, share, and write about the latest kitchen tips, recipes, international food news, and local restaurant reviews. c. Enable students to give back to and connect with the community by holding food drives and other charity events, by hosting dinners, and by collaborating with other University of California, Berkeley clubs and organizations. d. Give members experience with food, writing/journalism, photography, online media, and marketing. e. Continue the food curiosity and ultimate legacy Alice Waters and other Bay Area personalities began during the Culinary Revolution. 2.2 Our Mission: Spoon University at Berkeley is an on-campus e-publication that will create weekly food articles online and host several food-related events throughout the semester. Our publication will give students a way to share, learn, and teach each other about food. 2.3 Our Vision : A legitimate but accessible e-publication that offers up-to-date information about one of the most vital things in life and to life: food. A place to turn when University of California, Berkeley students with varying levels of experience in the kitchen have questions or want inspiration. Article III Membership
Only registered students, faculty, and staff may be active in a registered student organization. Only active members may vote or hold office. All University of California, Berkeley students are eligible for membership in Spoon University at Berkeley without any restrictions of any specific major or grade point average. Each team member will register online in order to be a part of the website, and he/she will be responsible for his or her assigned duties to ensure that every article is published successfully. Participating faculty and staff may maintain the right to suggest ideas and give valuable input to team members. Students who are not part of the team need not register on the e-publication website to view articles posted by team members. Website readership is, however, aimed specifically at University of California, Berkeley students and faculty. We will not haze, according to California State Law; we will not restrict membership based upon race, color, national origin, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or status as a covered veteran (special disabled veteran, Vietnam-era veteran or any other veteran who served on duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which campaign badge has been authorized). Article IV Structure of Members 4.1- The Executive Committee (otherwise known as ExComm.) comprises of eight members, consisting of three Head executives and five Vice executives: a. Editor-in-Chief I. Two (2) Managing Editors b. Business Director I. Vice President of Internal Affairs II. Vice President of External Affairs III. Treasurer c. Creative Director 4.1.1. The Editor-in-Chief, Business Director, and Creative Director have precedence in Executive Committee decisions. 4.2 Leadership Structure: 4.2.1. Editor-in-chief: The Editor-in-chief serves as the leader of the writing/editing sector of Spoon University at Berkeley. 4.2.2. The Editor-in-chief is responsible for the following duties: Acts as primary signatory.
b. Presides over weekly meetings with the writers and editors. c. Responsible for the actions and work of the writers and editors. He/she must take responsibility for all consequences of the actions of his/her subordinates in the writing of articles/interviews for Spoon University at Berkeley, so long as their actions were directly or indirectly sanctioned, supervised, or suggested by the Editor-in-chief. The Editor-in-chief is not responsible for the actions or consequences of actions committed without his/her permission. d. Ensures that any content posted by the e-publication is lawful and upholds the integrity of the organization. e. Ensures the peace and harmony of the organization, especially among the writers/editors and the photographers, and make sure that all members work collaboratively to produce the best work. f. Holds the final say in matters pertaining to proofreading, fact-checking, corrections in spelling, grammar, writing style, and content of the e-publication. g. Writes articles in the absence of any writers. h. Dismisses any piece that seems to be plagiarized, or has been published before elsewhere, before it can be published. i. Sets and enforces deadlines for the writers and editors so that articles may be submitted in a timely manner. 4.2.3. Business Director: The Business Director serves as the leader of the business (marketing/finance) sector of Spoon University at Berkeley. 4.2.4. The Business Director is responsible for the following duties: Presides over weekly meetings with the marketing and finance members. b. Responsible for the actions and work of the business members. He/she must take responsibility for all consequences of the actions of his/her subordinates in the business transactions for Spoon University at Berkeley, so long as their actions were directly or indirectly sanctioned, supervised, or suggested by the Business Director. The Business Director is not responsible for the actions or consequences of actions committed without his/her permission. c. Coordinates and seeks permission for any Spoon University at Berkeley events or activities on campus. d. Oversees detailed records of all finances and marketing ventures. e. Serves as the primary caretaker of all Spoon University at Berkeley finances, finance-related records, interactions with the ASUC, and interactions with monetary sponsors. f. Leads efforts for raising money for the club, establishing advertisement deals for the e-publication,
and keeping record of any donations/endowments that may come for the e-publication. g. Oversees all expenditures, create a budget, and ensure a stable monetary fund for Spoon University at Berkeley. h. Does not have any right to withhold any funds, unless decided by the rest of the ExComm. i. Leads efforts in spreading the word about Spoon University at Berkeley via social media and flyering/tabling/circulating. j. k. Manages any Spoon University at Berkeley events/activities/socials. Ensures that Spoon University at Berkeley is successfully publicized at all campus events. l. Updates the Editor-in-Chief of all Business Team events and updates in a timely fashion. m. Raise money for the club, establish advertisement deals for the e-publication, and keep record of any donations/endowments that may come for the publication. 4.2.5. Creative Director: The Creative Director serves as the leader of the photography sector of Spoon University at Berkeley. 4.2.6. The Creative Director is responsible for the following duties: Presides over weekly meetings with the photography members. b. Responsible for the actions and work of the photographers. He/she must take responsibility for all consequences of the actions of his/her subordinates in the photography for articles for Spoon University at Berkeley, so long as their actions were directly or indirectly sanctioned, supervised, or suggested by the Creative Director. The Creative Director is not responsible for the actions or consequences of actions committed without his/her permission. c. Ensures that the any content posted by the e-publication is lawful and upholds the integrity of the organization. d. Ensures the peace and harmony of the organization, especially between the writers/editors and the photographers, and make sure that the all members work collaboratively to produce the best work. e. Holds the final say in matters pertaining to the quality (and thus, editing, fidelity etc.) of photography on the website. f. Takes photography in the absence of any photographers. g. Dismisses any piece of photography that seems to be plagiarized, or has been used before elsewhere, before it can be published. h. Sets and enforces deadlines for the photographers so that photography (and articles) may be submitted
in a timely manner. i. Updates the Editor-in-Chief of Photography Team events and updates in a timely fashion. j. Creates flyers, graphics, and other necessary Spoon University at Berkeley designs as needed. 4.2.7. Managing Editor: The Managing Editor(s) serve as subordinates to the Editor-in-Chief and each lead one half of the Editorial Team Members. 4.2.8. The Managing Editor(s) are responsible for the following duties: a. Attend weekly meetings, even for the team he/she is not overseeing. b. Update weekly agenda and updates after the meeting for their respective team each week, for members to reference. c. Ensure that the teams formed during each cycle (writer, editor, and photographer) are communicating among all three individuals and meeting in person to attend Spoon responsibilities in a timely fashion. d. Remind, notify, tag, and message members about upcoming and late deadlines per the spreadsheets online. e. Convey any and all updates regarding deadlines to Editor-in-Chief in a timely fashion. f. Contact writers and editors after his/her round of edits via the Spoon University at Berkeley email account. 4.2.9. Vice President of Internal Affairs: The Vice President of Internal Affairs serves as a subordinate to the Business Director and manages all team-related affairs. 4.2.10. The Vice President of Internal Affairs is responsible for the following duties: a. Attend each Business Team meeting. b. Organize meetings and social activities for Spoon University at Berkeley team members. c. Update Business Team meeting agenda after each weekly meeting for members to reference. d. Update ExComm. meeting agenda after each weekly meeting for Executive Committee to reference. e. Book campus locations for Spoon University at Berkeley events. f. Provide updates to the Business Director in a timely fashion. 4.2.11. Vice President of External Affairs: The Vice President of External Affairs serves as a subordinate to the Business Director and manages all publicity-, campus-, and greater influence-related affairs.
4.2.12. The Vice President of External Affairs is responsible for the following duties: a. Attend each Business Team meeting. b. Plan and develop new ideas and events for Spoon University at Berkeley on campus. c. Publicize and advertise for Spoon University at Berkeley as an on-campus organization. d. Assists Business Director in setup, management, and overseeing of any and all Spoon University at Berkeley events on campus. e. Work closely with the Treasurer to figure out financial limits and needs regarding event-planning and hosting. f. Provide timely updates to the Business Director regarding event-planning progress. g. Promote Spoon University at Berkeley through social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest). h. Work with the Business Director to ensure that Spoon University at Berkeley is successfully publicized at all campus events. 4.2.13. Treasurer: The Treasurer serves as a subordinate to the Business Director and manages all financial matters relating to Spoon University at Berkeley. 4.2.14. The Treasurer is responsible for the following duties: a. Attend each Business Team meeting. b. Oversee distribution and use of Spoon University at Berkeley funds. c. Manage finances (i.e. any and all club account handlings, revenues from fundraisers, counting and collecting of money, and setting of budgets) to ensure Spoon University at Berkeley retains financial stability. d. Responsible for reimbursements and club bank account balance information through the LEAD Center. e. Propose potential and/or necessary fundraisers, and work closely with the Vice President of External Affairs in carrying them out. f. Provide any and all updates regarding finances to the Business Director in a timely fashion. g. Responsible for completing the annual Budget and Allocation process with the Business Director. h. Track expenditures, create a budget, and ensure a stable monetary fund for Spoon University at Berkeley. 4.2.15. ExComm Team Interactions: The ExComm must adhere to these guidelines when handling
any and all Spoon University at Berkeley affairs. a. All executive duties must be shared on a communal agenda sheet so duties may be shared and all work is transparent. b. All actions carried out by the ExComm must be approved by the Editor-in-Chief and the other relevant head executive (the Business Director or the Creative Director). The Head Executives are not responsible for the actions or consequences of actions committed by others without their permission. c. Officers must update Editor-in-Chief and Business Director of all negotiations before making any important decisions with corporate organizations. d. Be respectful of one another. Allow someone to finish their thought before responding. e. If any of the officers exhibit disrespectful or inappropriate behavior, as deemed by the senior advisor and the remaining officers, and consistently miss meetings and events, they will be removed from their position. f. If an officer does not comply with the duties that accompany their office, they can be voted out of office by the other officers. The ultimate decision is made by the executive team through a vote. 4.3 Member Roles: 4.3.1. Member of the writing sector: under the direction of the Editor-in-chief, he/she writes the material for Spoon University at Berkeley. 4.3.2. A member of the writing sector is responsible for the following duties: Attend weekly meetings (may miss up to two meetings with legitimate excuses before probation). i. Legitimate excuses must be sent to the Spoon University at Berkeley email account at least 24 hours prior to the event. ii. Legitimate excuses must be approved by the head of the member s respective team. iii. Members are allowed one emergency excuse and/or absence in the situation of illness or family/friend emergency. b. Write one article every other week/per cycle that falls into at least one of the following categories: Cook, Drink, Eat Out, Learn, Live, Study Abroad, Watch. c. d. e. Work with both editors and photographers to create a final result with which everyone can be pleased. Adhere to deadlines. Complete and understand the Secret Sauce Guide and sign the agreement at the end of it. 4.3.3. Member of the editing sector: under the direction of the Editor-in-chief, he/she edits the
articles for Spoon University at Berkeley. 4.3.4. A member of the editing sector is responsible for the following duties: b. Attend weekly meetings (may miss up to two meetings with legitimate excuses before penalized). Edit a handful of articles per week, according to the guidelines presented to him/her. c. Work with writers to ensure that the content is well edited while maintaining each writer s specific voice. d. e. Adhere to deadlines. Complete and understand the Secret Sauce Guide and sign the agreement at the end of it. 4.3.5. Member of the business sector: under the direction of the Business Director, he/she runs the business facets for Spoon University at Berkeley. 4.3.6. A member of the business sector is responsible for the following duties: b. c. Attend weekly meetings (may miss up to two meetings with legitimate excuses before penalized). Adhere to deadlines. Complete and understand the Secret Sauce Guide and sign the agreement at the end of it. d. Promote Spoon University at Berkeley on the University of California, Berkeley campus through social media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, or any other social media sites). e. Organize tabling events, print and design flyers, and ensure that these flyers are successfully distributed throughout the University of California, Berkeley campus. f. Create, develop, and send out monthly newsletters with recent Spoon University at Berkeley articles. g. Responsible for soliciting restaurants, vendors, and other partners for events, launch parties, and other on-campus events. h. Attend and assist at any and all Spoon University at Berkeley events by aiding with set up, management, organization, and tear down, under the guidance of the Business Director. i. j. Responsible for any Spoon University at Berkeley events/socials/activities. Ensure that Spoon University at Berkeley is successfully publicized at all campus events. 4.3.5. Member of the photography sector: under the direction of the Creative Director, he/she manages the photography side of Spoon University at Berkeley. 4.3.6. A member of the photography sector is responsible for the following duties:
b. c. d. e. f. Attend weekly meetings (may miss up to two meetings with legitimate excuses before penalized). Take good quality pictures for a handful of articles every week. Use a good camera (DSLR and SLR are fine; cell phone cameras are not.) Work with assigned writers to achieve a shared vision for each article. Adhere to deadlines. Complete and understand the Secret Sauce Guide and sign the agreement at the end of it. 4.4. Advisor Role: 4.4.1. Advisor: The Advisor(s) - including, but not limited to a National as well as a Local Advisor - provides advice, support, and guidance regarding Spoon University at Berkeley interactions. 4.4.2. The Advisor s role is limited to, but responsible for, the following duties: a. Being kept up-to-date on any and all Spoon University at Berkeley happenings on a weekly or biweekly basis, or as needed. Article V: Procedures Spoon University at Berkeley will refer to Robert's Rules of Order parliamentary system in case of any disputes or issues whose resolutions have not otherwise been specified in the constitution. A. Application Procedure: The ExComm. will maintain and hold their positions for one calendar year (January to December). b. Applicants who are pursuing positions in Spoon University at Berkeley as members of any kind will submit an official application form, provided by the club, as well as a personal resume, by the deadlines set forth by the ExComm. c. All applicants must apply individually, and all submissions must be the original work of the applicant. d. The ExComm. may choose which applicants are eligible for interviews based on their unbiased and lawful assessment of all submitted materials. e. Each member of the ExComm. chooses his/her successor, but must take into account what the remaining members of the ExComm. say. f. Failure to adhere to the rules for applying and/or incomplete submitted materials may automatically
disqualify the fallible applicant. g. The ExComm. reserves the right to select individuals to fill leadership positions based on objective criteria, the Constitution, all submitted materials, and interviews. h. Spoon University at Berkeley will conduct one application round for appointing members per semester. i. This will occur within the first three weeks of the semester in question and will primarily concern filling sectors and not the ExComm. B. Emergency Procedures: If at any time a position on the ExComm. shall become vacant, the other ExComm. members shall assume the duties until a replacement can be found. C. Voting Procedures: Matters Requiring a Vote: i. The ExComm. shall vote on any official decisions regarding the e-publication, including but not limited to accepting new members, setting dues, and any other major issues/dilemmas affecting the organization. No vote is needed for informal input and feedback by Spoon University at Berkeley. b. Voting Procedure: i. All current members of Spoon University at Berkeley are eligible to vote and will be notified of upcoming voting topics via email by the ExComm. members. ii. iii. Voting shall be conducted at the ExComm. meeting that takes place once a week. A quorum for a vote is two-thirds the members. iv. A majority vote is required for all decisions unless otherwise specified. In order to prevail, a majority two-third vote requires an affirmative response from the members who submit votes. A plurality vote requires the largest number of votes given to any one option. c. Impeachment: i. Regarding the removal of any leadership position from Spoon University at Berkeley based on the offenses cited in the roles played by each position, any ExComm. member may submit a referendum to the ExComm. which attempts to refute the ExComm. s reasons for removing said officer. Approval of the referendum by a two-thirds vote of
all ExComm. members will automatically rescind the ExComm. s dismissal of the removed officer and simultaneously reinstate said officer to their previously held position. ii. iii. Any cause that indicates personal bias on the part of an ExComm. Member will automatically disqualify him/her from voting in the matters where said bias may influence voting behavior. Decisions or matters which include, but are not limited to, the creation or dissolution of a Spoon University at Berkeley committee, important inter-club relations, large-scale budgetary decisions, event-planning dilemmas, e-publication launches, and certain proposals posed to the ExComm. concerning such matters, will only be approved by a unanimous agreement of the ExComm. D. Voting Ties: The following rules apply with regard to voting ties: All ties will be settled by the ExComm. member whom is most affected by the question at hand, either by a call for a revote, or by an executive tiebreaker in which said ExComm. member s vote determines the approval of the voting matter. b. Any member of Spoon University at Berkeley may submit a proposal, via the appropriate ExComm. member, to be voted upon in an ExComm. weekly meeting where all voting will take place. c. Committees may set up their own voting procedures according to the discretion of each committee s corresponding ExComm. member. Article VI: Meetings & Mandatory Events ExComm. members are required to attend all but two events/meetings per semester. The other ExComm. members must be notified of an ExComm. member s intention to miss an event or meeting prior to the said event or meeting. A member s failure to attend meetings/events beyond the two allowed and/or failure to provide proper notification before missed events/meetings is grounds for an executive-mandated probationary period or removal from his/her position altogether. b. There will be an hour-long general meeting once a month, time and location TBA at which all members must be present. There will be two excused absences permitted, and at least one of the ExComm. members must be notified a day prior to the meeting about any absences. Any team member s failure to attend meetings beyond the two allowed absences will lead to an intervention by the ExComm. c. d. ExComm. members will host their own individual weekly meetings with their respective sectors. ExComm. members will hold weekly meetings just for the ExComm.
e. Team members will be reminded and notified for all weekly meetings by their respective ExComm. member. Article VII: Amendments Any member or members seeking to amend the constitution shall present in writing a copy of the proposed amendment to the ExComm. As soon as the ExComm. is notified of the proposed amendment, its consideration shall be placed on the agenda for the next ExComm. meeting. A copy of the proposed amendment shall be published and distributed prior to the meeting. If a majority of those members attending and voting at the membership meeting vote in favor of the proposed amendment, or if two thirds of the membership petition for the proposed amendment, a vote for the proposed amendment shall commence within ten days of the membership meeting passing the proposed amendment or receipt of the petition requesting the proposed amendment. Upon such passage, the ExComm. shall amend the constitution as required. All amendments, additions, or deletions to this document must be filed with the LEAD Center in 102 Hearst Gym. Article VIII: Dissolution Dissolution will be decided if the club s membership falls below five people. We will require a two-thirds vote in order to dissolve the organization. The unspent miscellaneous funds will be used to pay off any debts and then divided amongst the remaining members. All unspent sponsor or alumni funds shall be returned or distributed to another nonprofit organization on campus with the approval of the sponsor/alumni. All advertising-obtained funds must also be returned to the advertising company. All unspent ASUC funds shall remain the property of the ASUC; all Graduate Assembly funds shall remain the property of the Graduate Assembly. Remaining privately-obtained funds may be donated to another nonprofit organization with prior approval of the ASUC Senate Finance Committee.