Free/Libre and Open Source Software Club Constitution

 

Article I: Name and Purpose

Section 1: Name

Free Open Source Software Club or FLOSS Club

Section 2: Purpose/Mission

The mission of the FLOSS Club is to educate the communities of the College of Saint Benedict, Saint John's University, and their surrounding communities about the benefits of Free/Libre and Open Source Software.  Educating these communities about FLOSS includes increasing awareness of FLOSS, advocacy of the use of FLOSS, demonstrating the use of FLOSS, and assisting those who wish to use FLOSS.

Section 3: Affiliation:

No affiliations.

Article II: Membership

Section 1: Eligibility for Membership

The FLOSS Club will consist of two membership categories. Any CSB/SJU student who wishes to become a member of the FLOSS Club will automatically be a non-voting member. Any faculty or staff who wish to join the FLOSS Club will also be considered a non-voting member. Any student who meets voting member criteria will be a Voting Member.

Section 2: Voting Member Criteria

            -The student must attend 75% of the club meetings for a period of three consecutive months.

-The student must obtain a 2/3 majority vote of all current voting members in favor of making the student a voting member.

Section 3: Removal of Members

In order to remove a member of the FLOSS Club, another member of the FLOSS Club must first write a formal document detailing what has caused the member in question to loose good standing. The document will then be presented to a Quorum. It will then take a 2/3 majority vote to put the member on probation for one month. After one months time, another vote will be held on whether to expel the member from the club, extend the members probation, or restore the good standing of the member with the FLOSS Club. In order for the member to be expelled, a 2/3 majority must vote in favor of expulsion. If not enough votes for expulsion are achieved, then all expulsion votes will automatically be recounted as votes for extending probation. For the member's probation to be extended, a 2/3 majority must vote in favor of extending probation. If neither option  of expulsion or probation achieve enough votes then the member shall regain good standing with the FLOSS Club.

A member may not be put on probation for more than two months in a row. If a member has been on probation for two months, at the end of those two months a vote simply between expulsion and attainment of good standing will occur. As above, a 2/3 majority will be required for expulsion.

During a probationary period, the President of the Club reserves the right to call a special expulsion vote if the President observes that the member in question is making no attempts to correct that which caused him/her to lose good standing.

A member may only be put on probation twice (not counting instances where probation was extended). If a member looses good standing for a third time that member will be expelled from the FLOSS Club.

Article III: Officers

Section 1: Officer Qualifications

Any voting member that has been a voting member for one month may be an Officer.

Section 2: Elected Officers

President( Department of Student Activities and Joint Club Board contact)

Treasurer (Co-Funding Board Contact)

Communications Coordinator

Section 3: Duties of Officers

President:

Presides at meetings, calls special meetings, is primary contact with the institutions, appoints committee chairs, runs the election process,  schedules meeting/practice rooms/facilities, forms any necessary ad-hoc committees. Term of office: academic-year

Treasurer:

Assumes President’s duties in his/her absence, keeps all financial records, submits monthly audit statements to CFB contact, notifies organization of financial issues, prepares budget/allocation requests. Term of office: academic-year

Communications Coordinator:

Maintains all communication methods used by the club and notifies club members of meetings, special meetings, and activities scheduled by the club. Assumes Treasurers duties in his/her absence. Term of office: academic-year.

Section 4: Vacancy in Office

If there is a vacancy in the office of the president, the Treasurer shall assume his/her duties. If there is a vacancy in the office of the Treasurer, the Communication Coordinator shall assume his/her duties. If there is a vacancy in the office of the Communication Coordinator the President shall assume his/her duties.

In any case of Vacancy in office, a special vote will be called by the President within two weeks of the vacancy to fill the Office. Nomination and Election will be followed as described in Article IV.

Section 5: Removal of Officers

A petition to remove the officer in question must be submitted to another officer. This petition must contain the signatures of 2/3 of voting members. When such a petition is received, the officer to whom the petition was submitted shall call a meeting of the club to determine whether or not the officer in question should be removed. Grounds for removal are presented by the officer in charge at a regular or special club meeting. The officer in question shall be provided an opportunity to present a defense either in person or in writing. A quorum shall be present, and a 2/3 vote of the voting members shall decide upon removal.

Article IV: Elections

Section 1: Nomination Process

Officers maybe self- nominated or nominated by other members of the FLOSS Club.

Section 2: Election

A simple majority vote by all voting members will take place at each election via secret ballot. A FLOSS Club member may serve an indefinite amount of terms.

Section 3: Special Elections

Special elections will be conducted in the same manner as a regular election within two weeks of the vacancy of any position.

Article V: Advisor

Section 1: Selection

An advisor will be nominated by a voting member. A simple majority vote will decide the selection of the nominated advisor.

Section 2: Duties

The advisor will assist club members with coordinating activities as well as helping develop ideas for club activities and meeting discussions.

Article VI: Meetings

Section 1: Regular Meeting/Club Activities

Regular meetings will occur at minimum at least once a month. Members will be notified by e-mail when this meeting is. If there is more than one meeting in a month, members will be notified of when it is.

At each meeting there will be a provided topic of conversation to be discussed, but the discussion may proceed in any manner the present members deem fit. Discussion of the topic will be free-formed. Any person, member or not, will be welcome to these discussions.

Section 2: Special Meetings

Special meetings will be called by the president when deemed necessary.

Section 3: Quorum

A Quorum will consist of 2/3 of the voting members.

Article VII: Committees

Section 1: Ad-hoc Committees

If deemed necessary by the President, the President may form ad-hoc committees per his/her specification at any time.

Article VIII: Finances

Section 1: Co-Funding Board

The FLOSS club will apply for CFB monies.

Section 2: Honorariums

No honorariums will be given for club positions or volunteer services provided by CSB/SJU students/staff/faculty.

 

Article IX: Amendments

Section 1: Ratification

Only voting members will be allowed to propose amendments. Any proposed amendments will be voted on within one month of their proposal and require a 2/3 majority to pass.

Section 2: Submittal to the Department of Student Activities and the Joint Club Board

Any changes made to this constitution must be submitted to the Department of Student Activities and the JCB.

Article X:

         The following is a required statement for all organizations:

       The FLOSS Club admits students without regard to their race, religion, color, sex, age, sexual orientation or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and other activities, generally accorded or made available to members of the organization.

Article XI:

       The following is a required statement for all organizations:

       The FLOSS Club considers hazing to be a degrading and destructive activity which is inconsistent with the standards of this student organization.  The FLOSS Club recognizes the dignity of every person and opposes all forms of hazing.

Date of recognition/revision:

2008-09-14