Constitution for Northwestern Chinese Christian Fellowship (NCCF) 2017-2018
ARTICLE I: INTRODUCTION Section I Name The name of this organization is "Northwestern Chinese Christian Fellowship" or in short NCCF. Section II - Purpose The purpose of this fellowship is to spread the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and to develop Christian fellowship and growth in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ for Chinese international students and scholars in the Northwestern Community. Section III - Objectives Northwestern Chinese Christian Fellowship (NCCF) is passionate to: 1. provide spiritual guidance for Chinese students and scholars in Northwestern University; 2. host regular gatherings including weekly bible studies for spiritual growth; 3. organize special events in holidays to welcome students of all ethnicity, cultural backgrounds, and beliefs, and offer them a supportive environment just like home: e.g. New year, Lunar new year, Valentine s day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. 4. To extend the love of Christ to a broad community through volunteer services. For example, each year we work closely with the Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) to serve the newly arrived Chinese student community. For example, each year we volunteer to pick up 40-50 newly arrived students from the airport to their apartments and offer various assistance upon their arrival. 5. to develop programs to need the needs of our diverse community. For example, we developed a new children s service program in response to our growing community of scholars with children. ARTICLE II: ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Section I - Executive Board A. List of Executive Board Positions and General Responsibilities NCCF shall consist of the following officers:
i. Chairperson -- The duties of the chairperson shall be: 1. To assist in every way as it concerns with the administration of the fellowship and coordinate the regular meetings. 2. To call committee meetings and annual meeting. ii. Treasurer -- The duties of the treasurer shall be: 1. To be responsible for all financial work in fellowship activities. iii. Secretary -- The duties of the secretary shall be: 1. To keep accurate minutes of all committee meetings as well as the annual meeting 2. To maintain a current roster of fellowship membership 3. To be responsible for the fellowship correspondence. B. Qualifications for Becoming an Officer All members of the committee must be members of this fellowship and spiritually qualified according to the teaching of the Scriptures as described in (Acts 6:3) and (I Timothy: 3:1-12). C. Terms of Office The officers shall be elected from the annual meeting to serve for the term of one year beginning October. Re-election is allowed. D. Procedure for Filling Vacated Offices If a vacancy occurs in the position of Chairperson, it will be filled by the secretary. All other vacancies will be filled by active members agreed by the remaining committee members. Section II Advisor The advisor(s) of NCCF shall be a full time faculty, administrator, or staff member at the Northwestern University. Roles and Duties of an Advisor: Review NCCF s constitution annually to ensure it is up-to-date and compliant with
University policies. Be aware of all major events and organization activities. Meet with the organization leadership annually Be a resource for students Review up-to-date policy regarding contracts on the SOA website. Section IV Dissolution of Organization SECTION 1: PROCESS NCCF may be dissolved after dissolution is approved by the officers/ executive board and by a vote of two third of active members, provided that a notice of the vote on dissolution is furnished to all active members at least 60 days prior to the vote SECTION 2: OBLIGATIONS Upon dissolution, the officers/ executive board will utilize assets of the organization to pay all obligations and expenses of the organization SECTION 3: APPROVEL Notice of dissolution must be presented in writing to the ASG student groups committee ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP Section I - Membership Eligibility Membership of NCCF shall be open to all Northwestern University students in good academic standing who have paid their student activity fee, interested faculty, administrators, staff members, and alumni of the University. Non-voting memberships may be extended to community interested. Section II - Executive Board Eligibility and Qualifications All candidates must be full time registered students of Northwestern University and maintained active membership for one year. All members of the committee must be members of this fellowship and spiritually qualified according to the teaching of the Scriptures as described in (Acts 6:3) and (I Timothy: 3:1-12). Section III - Committee Eligibility All active members are eligible to participate.
Section IV - Executive Board Resignation Under exceptional circumstances, an officer may resign. Two weeks before his or her resignation, the resigning officer must submit in written reasonable reason for resigning to the Executive Board. Resignation only becomes effective after the Executive Board approves and a general discussion at the general meeting had taken place. ARTICLE IV - EXECUTIVE BOARD ELECTION/SELECTION PROCESS Section I: Timeline Elections will be held in one of the regular meeting during the start of fall quarter. Section II - Nominations Any member may nominate any other voting member, including himself or herself. Nominations may also be made during the election meeting prior to closing of nominations. Section III: Election and Voting Procedure All active members are eligible to make nomination and to be nominated while the nominated candidates have to be approved by the current officers. The chairperson of the committee runs the election. Voting shall be conducted by way of raising hands or by way of secret ballot. Candidates shall be elected as the members Committee when they have been approved by a majority of not less than half of the votes. Section VI - Grounds for Removal. Two-thirds (2/3) of the Officers must agree or two-thirds (2/3) of active members must sign a petition to ask for impeachment. Section VI - Procedure for Impeachment Two- third of the officers must agree or two- third of the active members must sign a petition to ask for impeachment. Active members, the officers or advisors being impeached must be notified at least two weeks in advance of the impeachment hearing. The impeachment hearing must occur while classes are in session. The moderator of the impeachment hearing will be an active member decided by the committee. The moderator cannot be the officer being impeached. Three-fourth of active members must be present for the impeachment hearing to begin. Each side will be given
opportunity to present their case and the active members may ask questions. A two-third vote of the active members present is needed for impeachment. ARTICLE V: MEETINGS Section 1: General We have weekly gathering on Friday afternoon from 6:30pm to 9:30pm in Walter Annenberg hall. The number of attendance stays around 50-60. Usual gathering includes singing worship songs, group discussion on the Bible. Section 2: Officers Officer meetings will be held bi-monthly. Section 3: Special Special meeting will be held upon need. Beside regular gatherings, we hold special events in holidays: in 2016-17, we hosted New year (1.1), Lunar new year (1.28), Valentine s day (2.14), Thanksgiving (11.23) and Christmas (12.25). ARTICLE VI HANDLING OF FUNDS Section I Student Organization Finance Office All funds collected will be deposited in our student organization s Student Organization Finance Office (SOFO) account. Section II Treasurer The treasurer shall be the primary officer designated to handle organization finances. Section III Dissolution of organization In the event this organization dissolves, all monies left in the treasury, after outstanding debts and claims have been paid, shall be donated to Name of charitable organization. ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
Section 1: Submission Amendments to this constitution shall be submitted to chairperson in writing for submission to the active members for a vote. Section 2: Vote A vote of half of the active members is needed for the adoption of any amendment. Section 3: Final Approval Amendments must be presented to the ASG Student Groups Committee for approval prior to implementation. ARTICLE VIII - CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW As a recognized student organization, we will participate in a constitutional review process every three (3) years. It will be updated according to the new sample constitution (if necessary) and will meet with the Student Organizations & Activities staff to review it. ARTICLE IX NOT-FOR-PROFIT STATEMENT This is not-for-profit organization. Any funds obtained through fundraising or other means must go back to the organization. ARTICLE X STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION As a student group seeking affiliation to Northwestern University, we hereby state that this student organization does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, marital status, age, disability, citizenship or veteran status in matters of admissions, employment, housing or services or in the educational programs or activities it operates. Harassment, whether verbal, physical or visual, that is based on any of these characteristics, is a form of discrimination. This includes harassing conduct affecting tangible job benefits, interfering unreasonably with an individual's academic or work performance, or creating what a reasonable person would sense is an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment. While Northwestern University is committed to the principles of free inquiry and free expression, discrimination and harassment identified in this policy are neither legally protected expression nor the proper exercise of academic freedom.
ARTICLE XI STATEMENT OF NON-HAZING This organization will not engage in or permit hazing. The University forbids hazing and all other activities that interfere with the personal liberty of an individual. The University defines hazing as any action taken or situation created, whether on or off University premises and whether presented as optional or required, to produce mental or physical discomfort, servitude, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule for the purpose of initiation into, affiliation with, or admission to, or as a condition for continued membership in, a group, team, club, or other organization. Hazing activities may also violate the Illinois Hazing Act 720 ILCS 5/12C-50 ARTICLE XII STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE WITH CAMPUS REGULATIONS This organization shall comply with all Northwestern University policies and procedures, including but not limited to, those policies set forth in the Northwestern University Student Handbook and The Guide to Student Organizations, as well as local, state, and federal laws.