Sexuality and Gender Alliance at Appalachian State University Constitution
Article I - Name
The name of this organization shall be known as SAGA (Sexuality and Gender Alliance) at Appalachian State University. It shall exist and operate as a unit thereof.
Article II - Purpose
SAGA is a non-university funded campus organization dedicated to the concerns of the GLBT community and to diversity awareness. SAGA encourages the involvement of diverse members, including those who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or heterosexual. Members can be affiliated with ASU or members of the community. SAGA provides informational and emotional support, acceptance, and understanding to its membership in an informal atmosphere. SAGA provides for social interaction within and beyond its membership, by sponsoring social events and activities. SAGA looks to network with other relevant groups, both on and off campus. SAGA seeks to actively educate the Appalachian community about issues regarding sexual orientation and diversity. Through these actions, SAGA hopes to eliminate discrimination and homophobia on the ASU campus.
Article III - Membership
Section 1. Membership to this organization shall be open to any ASU student or community member who is committed to the aforementioned purposes of this organization. Attendance at membership meetings shall not be limited to members.
Section 2. All members are required to respect the following rules: 1) Confidentiality of the organization and its attendance must be maintained; 2) Do not assume anyone's sexuality or gender; 3) All conflicts must be left outside the meeting room.
Section 3. Disruptive behavior at meetings and/or breach of confidentiality is the basis for termination of membership. Members who are disruptive during meetings or who breach confidentiality will be asked to meet with the Executive Committee and Advisors during their next regularly scheduled meeting. In the case of disruptive behavior, the Executive Committee will discuss the behavior and determine the seriousness of the offense. After discussion, the Executive Committee will vote on whether or not to revoke the student's membership for one semester. A simple majority (three officers) is necessary for re-admission to the organization. In the case of breach of confidentiality, the President will arrange a meeting between the student, the President, and the faculty advisor prior to the Executive Committee meeting to discuss the charges. The President will present a report to the Executive Committee. The member will be asked to attend the Executive Committee meeting and will be allowed to present his/her side of the situation. Then, the member will be excused from the meeting, the Executive Committee will discuss both sides of the situation and vote on whether or not to revoke the student's membership, including the duration of the termination. A simple majority (three officers) is necessary for readmission to the organization. In either situation, the member(s) involved will be notified of the decision within 24 hours.
Article IV - Officers
Section 1. The Executive Committee will consist of a President, Vice President of Administration, Vice President of Education, Vice President of Community, Vice President of Activism, and Historian.
Section 2. The President will be responsible for conducting executive and general membership meetings. The President will act as a spokesperson for the group by attending campus-wide President's meetings and any other meeting in which the attendance of SAGA is requested. The President will oversee each officer to ensure that they are carrying out their duties and assists the other officers as necessary. The President will have contact with other Presidents on campus and with officers of other relevant organizations in the Boone community and the 16 UNC schools. The President is also responsible for meeting with the Faculty Advisor to discuss matters of the organization. The President can delegate these responsibilities when necessary. The President is required to plan and implement a minimum of two (2) general meeting programs each semester.
Section 3. The Vice President of Education is responsible for assisting the President. The Vice President of Education will act in the President's place in the President's absence. The Vice President of Education will work with the Vice President of Community to bring educational programs to membership meetings and to the ASU and Boone community. The Vice President of Education is required to plan and implement a minimum of two (2) general meeting programs on the topic of educational interest each semester.
Section 4. The Vice President of Administration is responsible for recording the minutes of the executive and general membership meetings. The minutes should include a summary of activities, important announcements, and attendance. A summary of activities includes the order of the meeting, main motions made and actions carried forth by the motions, a summary of the program, and an accurate report of dates, places, and financial figures. The Vice President of Administration is also responsible for maintaining SAGA's checking account and writing checks to cover group expenses. The Vice President of Administration may only write checks with the prior permission of the President or Faculty Advisor. The Vice President of Administration is to maintain a strong relationship with the Webmaster and Historian on issues regarding electronic communication. The Vice President of Administration will be responsible for checking the organization's PO Box and bringing the mail to the executive meetings. The Vice President of Administration is also responsible for maintaining the campus PO Box (paying fees associated, etc.) and for leading at least one (1) meeting each semester.
Section 6. The Vice President of Community is responsible for assisting the President whenever necessary. The Vice President of Community will bring present ideas for social activity to the Executive Committee for screening prior to its presentation at the membership meeting. The Vice President of Community will coordinate networking among the officers, the membership, and other organizations on issues regarding community building. The Vice President of Community is also responsible for all social programming within the organization and is required to plan and implement a minimum of two (2) general meeting programs on a topic of social interest throughout each semester.
Section 7. The Vice President of Activism will assist the President whenever necessary. The Vice President of Activism will bring all political action ideas to the Executive Committee for screening prior to its presentation at the membership meeting. The Vice President of Activism will coordinate networking among the officers, the membership, and other organizations on all political issues concerning the group. The Vice President of Activism is also responsible for all social programming within the organization and is required to plan and implement a minimum of two (2) general meeting programs on a topic of political interest throughout each semester.
Section 8. The Historian will maintain the club's website and stay in close contact with the Webmaster. Also, the Historian will take photos at club events and use these to maintain a scrapbook along with descriptions of the events, any articles pertaining to the club, and any other relevant information. When the Historian is unable to attend all events the duties will be delegated to another. The Historian will collect and maintain a list of SAGA alumni for the purposes of future contact. The Historian is required to lead at least one (1) meeting each semester.
Section 9. All members of the Executive Committee will serve as an active resource person for the members and outside individuals. Other duties, such as fund raising, web-site maintenance, and publicity, should be divided up amongst the officers according to personal strengths and interests. The Executive Committee as a whole is required to plan and implement a minimum of three (3) programs each semester outside the regular meeting times. The content of these programs is left to the discernment of the board.
Section 10. All officers are expected to attend each executive and membership meetings. If an officer must miss either of these meetings, he/she is expected to inform the President 24 hours previous to the meeting time. All officers should report on the status of their assigned duties at executive meetings. The officers should also share any ideas or problems at the executive meetings or with the President and/or Advisors. Officers are expected to maintain a good working relationship with the other officers, the general members, and with the campus at large. The officers are also expected to assist the President with other duties the President assigns them.
Article V - Election of Officers
Section 1. Elections for officers shall be held at the end of each semester. Officers may be re-elected from one semester to the next. Elections will be held by secret ballot. A simple majority will be required from the membership present at the meeting in order for a nominee to win an office.
Section 2. Elections shall be announced three meetings prior to the meeting in which the election will take place. Nominations will be open for this time until the meeting before the election. Members must be present for at least three meetings across the semester and at least one meeting during the nomination period to be considered for an office.
Section 3. Nomination criteria includes: at least one year of membership in SAGA and to have and maintain at least a 2.5 GPA - in special circumstances the Faculty Advisor may use his/her discretion. Also, by accepting a nomination for election the member will allow the Faculty Advisor to check the above information.
Section 4. Nominees will give a written statement either in hard copy or in electronic form by midnight of the meeting before the election. The statement will include the nominee's goals, qualifications, time in SAGA, leadership experience and style, and any other pertinent information. This statement will be sent out to the membership via the listserv.
Section 5. At the meeting in which the election is to take place, nominees will be introduced, in order of office sought. Each nominee will be given the opportunity to speak. Then, the membership will have the opportunity to ask the nominee(s) questions regarding his/her speech. After the question-and-answering period is over, the nominee(s) for that office will be asked to leave the room and the election will occur. All members who wish to vote will only be eligible if they have attended at least two meetings during the semester. The nominee(s) will then be brought back into the room and the results will be presented.
Section 6. Absentee ballots will be available by seeing the faculty advisor prior to the meeting in which the election will be held. If one votes via an absentee ballot one may not vote again at the election.
Article VI - Removal of Officers
Section 1. In the event of temporary or permanent absence or resignation or the President, the Vice President of Education will assume the duties of that office. In the event of permanent absence or resignation of any other officer, the Advisors and the Executive Committee shall appoint a successor to the position. This successor will attend the following membership meeting and will be allowed to speak and have questions asked of him/her. This successor must be approved by a simple majority vote of the membership present at this meeting. The successor will serve out the remainder of the term until the end of the semester.
Section 2. An officer can be removed from office by unanimous executive decision made by Faculty and Graduate Advisors and the entire executive board excluding the officer in question. Reasons for removal shall be misuse of office and/or neglect of duties. Failure to comply with Article III-Section 2 will be reason for immediate removal from office.
Article VII - Role of Faculty and Graduate Advisors
Section 1. The Faculty Advisor will follow all responsibilities outlined in the Student Organization Advisor's Manual.
Section 3. Whenever possible, a Graduate Advisor may also be appointed. The Graduate Advisor also adheres to the guidelines and responsibilities outlined in the Student Organization Advisor's Manual and herein.
Section 2. When an Advisor resigns or is removed by the membership, recommendations for a new Advisor will be solicited from group members and other sources. If potential Advisors are interested in serving in the role, a representative of the Executive Committee will meet with him/her.
Section 3. The new Advisor must be approved by two-thirds majority vote of the membership.
Section 4. An Advisor can be removed for this role by a two-thirds majority vote of all members present. The vote will be conducted at the membership meeting one week after the charges are presented to the Executive Committee. Reasons for removal shall be misuse of officer and/or neglect of duties. Failure to comply with Article III-Section 2 will be reason for immediate removal.
Article VIII - Meetings
Section 1. Executive Committee meetings will be held as needed at a time arranged by the newly elected officers.
Section 2. Membership meetings will be held weekly. The meeting will begin with a call to order by the President. The call to order will include the organization's name, purpose, and a reading of the three rules of the organization (Article III-Section 2). If requested, the Secretary will read minutes from any business that has occurred. The Executive Committee will then present and piece(s) of information that has been decided to be discussed at the previous Executive Committee meeting. The floor will then be open for discussion. The President will then ask is there any other business that needs to be discussed. Following this informal business section, there will be a program consisting of informational support, emotional support, or some other activity agreed upon by the Executive Committee. After this informal discussion, the President will then adjourn the meeting.
Section 3. Committee meetings will be held as needed and when scheduled by the chair of that committee.
Article IX -Regulations and Policies
In cases not covered by this constitution, Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall serve as standard procedure.
Article X - Amendments
This constitution or parts thereof, may be amended only after changes have been presented in writing to and ratified by the membership. Ratification shall be by a two-thirds majority vote of all members present. The vote will be conducted one week following the presentation of the suggested changes to the membership.